 Calley appealed his conviction to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.On February 27, 1974, Judge J. Robert Elliott granted a writ of "habeas corpus" and set Calley free on bail.The court held that Calley had been improperly convicted due to extensive pre-trial publicity, the military court's refusal to permit certain defense witnesses, the refusal of the United States House of Representatives to release testimony about the My Lai masscre taken in executive session, and inadequate notice of charges.