Final answer:
The shift from 2007 to 2017 in a narrative context typically highlights a significant passage of time which can affect various elements of the storyline, such as investigations or legal proceedings, as seen in Gideon's two trials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason the author shifts from 2007 to 2017 may not be explicitly stated in the question's context, but such a shift typically serves to illustrate a passage of time and the impact it has on the storyline.
This could encompass scenarios like a long, drawn-out investigation by the FBI, an insurance company handling a claim, the time spent by the police trying to solve a case, or the prolonged period a person struggles to overcome an obstacle such as not being able to identify a thief. In a legal context, it can also highlight whether the statute of limitations affects the case.
When relating this to the provided reference of Gideon's two trials, one might infer that the time shift is used to compare and contrast events in a legal proceeding, such as how a case evolves over time and what new discoveries or obstacles arise. A detailed examination of Gideon's two trials could reveal the significant changes that occur when a case is revisited after a significant time lapse.