Lisa
As an online editor of Bella, you should know better than to call people names and not look up their background.
But more than that, just because it's the first time --- she could have killed him with that chair. No one in the courts would care that it's the first time.
Domestic violence is domestic violence. The women is best served getting help. Something isn't right and it came out this time, this way. Next time he and she may not be that lucky as to not cause phyical damage. But the emotional damage in now involved in their relationship.
http://www.thehotline.org/ anyone who watches themselves or others call people names, hit, throw, etc. can call this number. If you start feeling yourself getting angry again, call the number. They will help walk you through it.
You can also learn early the signs of abuse. It can start with words and then escalate. OR it doesn't have to be that way. You may learn that you, too, were a victim at one time -- or you don't have to have been a victim to do it to someone else.
No one should have to be on any side of domestic violence. Because today, there is therapy and lots of help help, hot lines, etc.
Please get help.