24-year-old r&b sensation Mario was charged with second-degree assault Friday against his mother, Shawntia Hardaway.

Hardaway told police that she feared for her life after her son pushed her, yelled at her and damaged property in their Baltimore apartment, according to the police report.

But was Mario's rage due to his mother's well-documented substance abuse problem that escalated when her son began trying to help out the family financially?

"Anyone who has waged the battle to save loved ones from the forces of drugs knows the irrational behavior that almost always accompanies their actions. Despite the allegations, Mario remains committed to supporting his mother," says Hassan Murphy, Mario's lawyer.

In a 2007 MTV documentary I Won't Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom, fans learned of the struggle, anger, and frustration Mario faced day to day as he tried to convince his mother to get off the heroin.

So fans, I have to ask, does the 'cause' make the actions right? Or should the charges stick?