. >> john adams' ace in the hole trial which his cousin doesn't want him to use is a deathbed confessin. >> doctor, good morning. when had you your last conversation with patrick carr? about 4:00 in the afternoon, proceeding the night on which he died? and what was it he said? he said he fired -- >> why did the soldier fire? >> he fired -- ♪ -- to defend himself. >> to defend himself. >> to defend himself. >> the defense rests, your honor. >> by today's standard, dr. jeffries' testimony recalling a dying man's last words would be considered inadmissible, hearsay. but the thinking, at the time, deathbed testimony is considered irrefutable since it is believed that no one would dare lie so close to facing god's final judgment. >> montgomery, matthew kilroy, you're found guilty. of manslaughter. and for your crimes, are hereby sentenced to be branded. dr. thomas preston, as for you and the rest of your men, you are all found not guilty. >> his defense of the soldiers solidifies john adams as the most gifted legal mind in boston, perhaps all the town. but to put that brilliant mind to use,