<P> The crowd eventually dispersed after Acting Governor Thomas Hutchinson promised an inquiry , but the crowd re-formed the next day , prompting the withdrawal of the troops to Castle Island . Eight soldiers , one officer , and four civilians were arrested and charged with murder . Defended by lawyer and future American president John Adams , six of the soldiers were acquitted , while the other two were convicted of manslaughter and given reduced sentences . The men found guilty of manslaughter were sentenced to branding on their hand . </P>
<P> The crowd eventually dispersed after Acting Governor Thomas Hutchinson promised an inquiry , but the crowd re-formed the next day , prompting the withdrawal of the troops to Castle Island . Eight soldiers , one officer , and four civilians were arrested and charged with murder . Defended by lawyer and future American president John Adams , six of the soldiers were acquitted , while the other two were convicted of manslaughter and given reduced sentences . The men found guilty of manslaughter were sentenced to branding on their hand . </P>
what were the soldiers in the boston massacre charged with
what were the soldiers in the boston massacre charged with
murder
murder