[nsxwolf]

What's with pictures of him as a kid? What does that add to the story? Sympathy?

[ch4s3]

I assume it is to help you empathize with the person the story is about. Some people are interested in the human element of news stories, the photos are for those people.

[richmarr]

I suspect they're also for the people who see a black man's face and react untrustingly.

[huac]

Go look at any story about white murderers, and you'll find baby pictures as well. Of the shooter, not the victim.