The District Attorney has to figure out what charges will stick and will most likely get a conviction. I posted previously about the riot stuff and why the fight participants will only get charged with misdemeanors. Basically, it comes down to what the intent of their actions were; Artest, more than likely, did not try to kill someone. There isn't enough evidence for the DA to charge them with felony assault as it was a spur of the moment action and not planned. The chair-thrower, on the other hand, is facing a felony because of the manner in which it happened. The DA must believe or have evidence to show premeditation with the chair-thrower.
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