Final answer:
The public reaction to Calley's guilty verdict was mixed, with some supporting him and disagreeing with the guilty verdict, while others believed he should have been executed. The verdict sparked debates about the Vietnam War and the treatment of soldiers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The public reaction to Calley's guilty verdict was mixed. The public reaction to Calley's guilty verdict was mixed, with some supporting him and disagreeing with the guilty verdict, while others believed he should have been executed. The verdict sparked debates about the Vietnam War and the treatment of soldiers.
On one hand, hundreds of thousands of Americans joined a 'Free Calley' campaign, expressing support for him and disagreeing with the guilty verdict.
On the other hand, there were also Americans who believed that Calley should have been executed for his crimes. The verdict polarized many Americans and sparked debates about the Vietnam War and the treatment of soldiers.