Why John Adams Defended the British Soldiers During the Boston Massacre Trials

When an unruly crowd of angry colonists attacked a small platoon of British soldiers in 1770, five Bostonians were killed and several others wounded. John Adams, a then-34-year-old lawyer who would eventually become the second president of the United States, took on a bold and unpopular defense of the soldiers and orchestrated their trials in a way that defied conventional thinking. To better understand the historical context of the Boston Massacre, what actually went down, the aftermath of the tragedy, and the surprising takeaway trial lawyers should have after hearing John Adams’ closing arguments, Attorney J. Craig Williams invites you to bundle up and relive the astounding altercation that’s still talked about to this day. LINKS: Sign up for our newsletter so that you’re the first to know when new episodes drop! Listen to J. Craig Williams’ other podcast, Lawyer 2 Lawyer. Tell us what you’re looking forward to the most for this show on LinkedIn, Facebook, X or Instagram!  Purchase the e-book.  Purchase the hardcover.  SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS:Scott Well as John AdamsAlan Chudnow as Samuel QuincySkyler C. as Josiah QuincyAlan Parsons as Captain Thomas PrestonRobert Mattson as Samuel AdamsDan Ring as Daniel CalefPatrick Correia as Richard PalmesKate Kenney Nutting as the female witnessNeil Harvey as the British SoldierBrian Driesen as Benjamin LeeAndrew Clark as Thomas Handaside PeckRobert "Terry" Terelak as Ebenerzer BridghamJud Pierce as Dr. John JeffriesChristopher Rogers as John Hogdson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices