Dolphins' Phillip Merling Received Special Treatment From Broward Sheriff's Office

One day after Phillip Merling's arrest for allegedly punching a pregnant woman, the Broward Sheriff's Office is investigating why the Dolphins' defensive end received special treatment during his release from jail.Merling posted $15,000 bail yesterday, but instead of going through standard procedure where inmates are released through the jail's front door, Merling...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

May 28, 2010

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One day after Phillip Merling's arrest for allegedly punching a pregnant woman, the Broward Sheriff's Office is investigating why the Dolphins' defensive end received special treatment during his release from jail.

Merling posted $15,000 bail yesterday, but instead of going through standard procedure where inmates are released through the jail's front door, Merling was escorted out another exit to avoid the waiting media.

"That is not something we do," sheriff's office spokesman Jim Leljedal told the Sun-Sentinel.

The move was apparently unauthorized, and the office is investigating why it happened.

The woman involved in the incident is now believed to be Merling's pregnant girlfriend.

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