Especially the latter -- a flying chair can kill someone. Tossing beer isn't in the same league.
There seems to be a tendency by some to blame either the players or the fans in this mess, but the truth is that both are at fault. ......the chair throwers and Artest being the worst offenders, of course.
I would guess it would depend on what caused the mild injuries that resulted. If Artest actually seriously injured someone then he should be prosecuted --- but it doesn't appear that he did injure anyone. The chair throwers should go to prison not jail --- their actions were meant to seriously injure anyone.