Why do people think john Adams and josia Quincy agreed to defend the British soldiers that were involved in the Boston Massacre?

John Adams and Josiah Quincy agreed to defend the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre primarily because they believed in the principle of justice and the right to a fair trial, regardless of public opinion. Adams, in particular, felt that everyone deserved legal representation, and he was committed to upholding the rule of law. Their defense aimed to emphasize the importance of legal rights and due process, even in highly charged political situations. This decision was controversial, as it put them at odds with the revolutionary sentiments of many colonists at the time.