From a public relations standpoint, My Lai serves as one of the most damaging occurrences of the last century for the U.S.A. Almost anything related to the event, from the actual attack, to the following cover up, paints the U.S.A. in a negative light. Because of the nature of the events of March 16th, My Lai received widespread coverage, such as the cover of LIFE magazine, to mention only one. The world, not only the U.S.A., heard vivid details emerge as the trials of many of the men involved progressed. One of those trials was that of Lt. William Calley, perhaps the man deemed most responsible, by some at least, of the murder of over 400 unarmed civilians.
             The trial of Lt. Calley was one which received much publicity, both during, and after it took place. Because Calley was in charge of troops present that fateful day, he is usually seen as instrumental in the event's taking place. The progression of his trial paints a clearer view of what exactly happened March 16th, and who was directly responsible. In the long run, despite the overwhelming mass of evidence, Lt. Calley has not faced what many see as "justice". The following deals with the procession of the trial, which should show just how drastically the "system" failed to find any one person responsible enough to punish severely.
             Of the cases against troops at My Lai, the strongest was that held against Calley. On November 12th of 1970, the prosecution opened its case against Calley. Held in Fort Benning, Georgia, the trial began with prosecutor Aubrey Daniel's opening statement. "I want you to know My Lai 4. I want to put you there." Daniel's job was to convince the jury of six officers that Calley was indeed responsible for My Lai.
             The case held by the prosecution was built up methodically. For several days, much grisly evidence accumulated, but none of it placed Calley at the scene of any of the actual sho...