What was the Boston Massacre and why was it important?

There
were two additional important results of the "massacre" and the trial.  First, because
the defense of the soldiers was led by John Adams, one of the most important members of the
revolutionary movement, it became obvious to both the British and the American colonists that
the rule of law was more important than one's political beliefs.  Adams, who interviewed dozens
of witnesses, proved that the crowd initiated the violence and that the soldiers believed their
lives were in danger.  Even though Adams was relentlessly criticized by many colonials for his
defense of the British soldiers, the British--and even many pro-revolution Americans--understood
that Adams' loyalty was to the law rather than his own politics.  Second, Adams' defense
indicated that some of Boston's leading citizens were implicated in inciting others to violence,
which was a capital crime under British law--that is, these people were guilty of treason and
could be executed if proven guilty.  In short, the leaders who were advocating violence
understood they could be accused of treason.   Among other things, Adams uncovered a significant
amount of sympathy among Americans for the British and against the revolutionary movement.  
When the leading members of the revolutionary movement realized the extent of American sentiment
against rebellion, they realized that the time was not ripe for a physical break with Great
Britain, and they took steps to moderate the violence they had encouraged before the massacre.