Should Johnny and Ponyboy be charged with murder or manslaughter? Why?

Johnny and Ponyboy should not be charged with murder or
manslaughter, however, given their social status and economic situations, they probably
would have.  I agree that any decent lawyer would have claimed self-defense, if the
girls had the courage to testify in court, this defense would have held.  I often
wonder, given the place and time, if any lawyer would have done so and if the girls
would have willingly stood up for them.  Money and social status are often strong
elements that impact legal outcomes for this setting.