If you or I did that, we would have been arrested.
True; but if we had his money, or even our good families, we would immediately post bond and be out on the street, calling our lawyer, since it was likely a misdemeanor or third-degree assault. I am often too picky about language, but you said "violent criminal"; but a criminal is one who has already been convicted. Until then, he is a "suspect" or an "alleged assailant." In these days of video, it's getting easier to skip the "equal protection" and "innocent until proven guilty in a court of law" steps.
One possible scenario in which he is not guilty of assault would be if the investigation determines that the slap was staged, and Chris cooperated, both using their acting skills. Although it seems unlikely, it's still possible, even under the events we saw on video.