A fitting end to the city that gave us John Adams.
On March 5 1775 some young scared British Troops got caught in a melee and in fear shot their weapons.
It was quickly turned into a pamphleteer's dream: The Boston Massacre. Even Paul Revere would commit the scene to silver.
Thirteen were arrested for 5 'murders'.
The mob wanted blood, a quick trial and executions.
John Adams was warned not to take the defense but he did.
Because he appealed to facts, evidence and an appeal to reason and not emotion, justice was achieved.
Eleven were acquitted of all charges and two were convicted of manslaughter when Adams showed that they were all in fear of their lives but that the two shot into the crowd earlier than was necessary.
Today an alleged bomb setting terrorist who is thought to also be a 'cop killer' was patiently brought into custody, and hopefully will survive to trial.
John Adams' defense of the British soldiers gave Boston a noble high bar for civilized democratic administration of justice.
The Law Enforcement community of Boston continued that tradition today.