More on the Brawl: As expected, the Oakland County (Detroit) prosecutor charged five players and seven fans with criminal charges stemming from the Malice at the Palace. Four of the players (Artest, Jackson, David Harrison and Anthony Johnson) were charged with one count of assault and battery, a misdemeanor that has a maximum penalty of three months in jail and a fine of $500. Jermaine O'Neal was charged with two counts of assault and battery.



Five of the fans were charged with the same offense. The prosecutor says it is unlikely that any will face jail time because they have clean records. The fan that threw the chair, though, could serve four years or more in prison, because he was charged with a felony and has prior convictions. The fan that threw the cup also has a record and thus could also face jail time. The Pistons have said that all seven fans will be banned from the arena.



In another legal development, the NBA has decided not to participate in the grievance hearing to be held tomorrow over the player suspensions. The league has taken the position that the arbitrator does not have standing to hear the case, as the collective bargaining agreement clearly gives Commissioner Stern unilateral authority over on-court incidents. Thus, the arbitration will be one side speaking alone. The league decided not to preemptively challenge the arbitrator's decision to hear the case, but it may appeal an unfavorable ruling to a federal court.

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