What Really Happened in the Boston Massacre? The Trial of Captain Thomas Preston

1760-1770 Bostonians vs. Redcoats ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The events of that Day ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The cold hard facts: ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

The tally: 5 Dead, 6 Wounded . ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Actual Obituary

Defense Team: ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

[object Object],You have been selected as jurors in the trial of Captain Thomas Preston . Before hearing the evidence, there are some things you must consider in able to render a fair verdict. Witness statements: Pay attention to witness statements that sound similar , as these are probably more credible. This is called “corroborating testimony” As we know very little about the witnesses themselves (i.e. political views, personal backgrounds, where they were standing, etc.), it will be up to you to decide which witnesses are telling the truth, which are lying, and which are mistaken. Key questions to consider: What really happened at the Boston Massacre? Was an order to fire actually given , and if so, was it given by commanding officer Captain Thomas Preston ? If not, why would shots have been fired?

An excerpt of Captain Thomas Preston’s Deposition (2011 style) ,[object Object]

Witnesses for the King (Prosecution) 2011 Style

Edward Garrick ,[object Object],What can we assume? Garrick dislikes British Sentinals.

William Wyat ,[object Object],What can we assume? Wyat was standing closely enough to hear a conversation that occurred before shots were fired.

John Cox ,[object Object],What can we assume? Cox’s word that he was close enough to hear Preston yell.

Benjamin Burdick ,[object Object],What can we assume? Burdick did not actually see who yelled “Fire!”

Daniel Calef ,[object Object],What can we assume? Calef can identify Preston exclusively.

Robert Goddard ,[object Object],What can we assume? Goddard’s testimony of what he heard Preston say matches Cox’s.

Diman Morton ,[object Object],What can we assume? Morton can positively identify Preston.

Nathaniel Fosdick ,[object Object],What can we assume? Fosdick cannot say for sure who ordered fire.

Issac Pierce & John Belknap ,[object Object],[object Object],What can we assume? Pierce and Belknap have cooberating testimony.

Witnesses for the Prisoner ( Preston’s Defense )

Edward Hill ,[object Object],What can we assume? Hill was close enough to hear a conversation between Preston and the soldiers.

Richard Palmes ,[object Object],What can we assume? Palmes was close enough to touch Preston. If Preston had ordered fire, Palmes would have certainly heard it.

Matthew Murray ,[object Object],What can we assume? Murray would have seen or heard the order come from Preston.

Andrew, Servant of Oliver Wendell ,[object Object],What can we assume? Andrew supports part of Preston’s testimony.

Daniel Cornwell ,[object Object],What can we assume? Cornwell supports Preston’s testimony.

Jane Whitehouse ,[object Object],What can we assume? Whitehouse backs up Preston’s Deposition and introduces a man other than Preston who she says gave the orders to shoot.

Newton Prince ,[object Object],What can we assume? Newton cooberates Preston’s deposition.

James Woodall ,[object Object],What can we assume? Woodall saw the same man that Sarah Whitehouse saw, ordering fire.

Thomas Handaside Peck ,[object Object],What can we assume? Peck was not present during the shooting, so he serves as more of a character witness for Preston.

Lieutenant Governor Thomas Hutchinson ,[object Object],What can we assume? Hutchinson rebutts the testimony by the King’s witnesses that Preston ever admitted guilt to him.

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Jury Instructions

T h e R e s u l t s ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Did You Know? ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Paul Revere’s famous engraving of The Boston Massacre as it appeared in the Boston Gazette , four days after the incident.

What Really Happened in the Boston Massacre? The Trial of Captain Thomas Preston

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