Wouldn't it be great if the journalistic convention in the lead of a news article like this included whether the accused person's background and whether they receive government 'services' and, if so, how long?
For example, here is what this story might look like if written as I'd like:
"MAY 25--Meet Lonneshia Shafaye Appling.
The Georgia woman, 26, a never-employed, fatherless, lifelong welfare recipient who receives monthly in food benefits ($1000), medicaid and a Section Eight housing voucher,, was so determined to shoplift beer, bacon, cheese, and chicken wings from a Piggly Wiggly that she punched, spit at, and pepper-sprayed store workers who confronted her as she tried to flee the supermarket Wednesday afternoon, according to cops."
I think that would give us a better idea of how our tax dollars are being used.