Thanks for your neutral, fact-finding approach. Others have already made up their minds without seeking more information. Of course, in no case did the customer have any basis for attacking the cashier physically. But there is much more to this event (given here) that illuminates the attitude of the attacker.
It seems clear that there is a third hand seeking to exploit this incident, through bearing the tremendous expense of defending the accused attacker, who has demonstrated neither shame nor regret.
I wonder who is backing of the defense costs? That's where the real story is, IMHO.
The elderly employee who was punched was a Walmart greeter and not a cashier. The attacker went after her when she asked to see the perp’s receipt upon exiting.
This case was reported all over at Christmas time in the media’s series of shopper rage. I remember it.
As you point out, nothing justifies her actions but I think most people would be at least ticked off if a bag were grabbed from their hands. She did in fact have a receipt.
There are ALWAYS third hands involved.
Even as we talk here, there are hundreds of 'third hands' as you call them involved in getting people like this and worse, rapists, wife beaters, murderers, what have you, out of prison. Once out of prison it is made sure that they are able to walk amoung us, unmarked, so they can continue their life of crime.
Hundreds of such organizations whose SOLE purpose is the above.