I try to generally cover politics and other such news items, but this story is too big to pass up, especially with politicians like John McCain beginning to speak out on steroids issues. This, from the AP:

Five Indiana Pacers players were charged Wednesday with assault and battery in a brawl that broke out on the court last month and spilled into the stands at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Five fans also were charged, according to a news report.

All charges were misdemeanor assault and battery — except for one count of felony assault against a fan accused of throwing a chair — according to WXYZ-TV in Detroit.

Auburn Hills police Detective Brian Martin on Wednesday morning requested arrest warrants against the five Pacers players in 52nd District Court in Rochester Hills. Martin said Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, David Harrison and Anthony Johnson each were being charged with one count of assault and battery, a 93-day misdemeanor. Jermaine O'Neal was charged with two counts of assault and battery, he said.

Might an athlete actually serve time for his actions? Doubtful. But it's good to see that the police are not merely protecting these players because they're famous.