Ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool gets Sept. 28 trial date
- On Thursday, July 16, attorneys for former Olympic canoeist David Hearn filed a motion to dismiss his property destruction case, arguing the government destroyed critical evidence by draining and repairing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool before defense experts could examine it.
- Prosecutors indicted the 67-year-old Olympian on a felony count of property destruction, alleging he forcefully pulled up two square feet of the pool's liner on June 19; Hearn maintains he only touched a piece already detached.
- Defense attorneys argue photographs included in the filing show the pool liner was already damaged before Hearn touched it, stating, "This entire section of the pool liner is missing," and the government's failure to preserve evidence destroyed his defense.
- Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman set a trial date for September 28, warning prosecutors that renovation work proceeds "at its own peril," while dismissing the motion without prejudice to allow potential refiling.
- At least three other people have faced misdemeanor charges for removing paint from the site, part of a renovation project championed by President Donald Trump, and Hearn is scheduled to appear for another hearing on September 11.
68 Articles
68 Articles
Trump Is Prosecuting A Former Olympian For His Reflecting Pool Disaster. Legal Experts Predict What A Jury Will Say.
Prosecutors have to show not only that a former Olympian acted with malice, but that he destroyed property worth more than $1,000. Experts say it’s a tall order.
Trump's Attempt To Hide Disastrous DC Reflecting Pool From View During Repairs Goes Hilariously Awry
The Trump administration's attempt to cover up the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as it undergoes repairs following alleged "vandalism" backfired when high winds revealed the sad sight of it, now drained and surrounded by a fence with a tarp on it.The renovation of the Reflecting Pool has become a debacle, marked by recurring algae blooms, workers resorting to pouring hydrogen peroxide into the water to combat the problem, and a political blam…
Montrose Daily Press
Trump administration should preserve Reflecting Pool evidence, judge says
A D.C. Superior Court judge on Monday encouraged the Trump administration to preserve the sections of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool that it says a Maryland man damaged to ensure the case moves forward.
‘Hope He Sues’: Trump's Reflecting Pool Case Against Three-Time Olympian Takes Stunning Turn After Key Evidence Potentially Vanishes
President Donald Trump left a 67-year-old Olympian with a charge on his public record for Authorities arrested David Hearn last month for allegedly damaging the renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The federal government awarded an estimated $14 million to $16 million in no-bid contracts at the president’s request. The work focused on upgrades near the National Mall. President Donald Trump pushed for “vandals” to be prosecuted for damage…
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