David Hearn, a former US Olympian, has pleaded not guilty to one felony count of destruction of property for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. His trial is scheduled for September 28 in D.C. Superior Court.
Prosecutors allege Hearn caused at least $1,000 in damage, a threshold that upgrades the charge to a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. However, Hearn's attorneys argue that the grand jury was misled, pointing to testimony from a US National Park Service (NPS) official who could not identify any damage directly caused by Hearn.
The government's witness could not identify any additional cost caused by Mr Hearn’s alleged conduct.
The NPS official testified that the reflecting pool was already in poor condition before Hearn's alleged actions. The pool was leaking more than 1 million gallons of water per week, its expansion joints had exceeded their service life, and its liner already had a tear. The official stated that the same repairs would have been required regardless of Hearn's conduct. An NPS witness also estimated that repairs based on pre-existing damage alone would have cost $6,000 to $15,000—far exceeding the alleged $1,000 threshold.
Hearn, described by his legal team as a three-time Olympian from Bethesda, Maryland, told the Associated Press he was detained for about five hours by National Guard troops and US Park Police after stopping at the reflecting pool during a June 19 bike ride. He said he reached into the water to inspect peeling liner and briefly touched a loose section before letting go at a park worker's request.
The case has drawn political attention. The restoration of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was championed by US President Donald Trump, who publicly blamed vandals and said a "sick" person cut the pool's liner. Hearn and his supporters contend the prosecution is politically motivated and designed to shift blame for the restoration project's failures.
Hearn's defense has sought the full grand jury transcript and legal instructions, citing irregularities. They have also moved to dismiss the case, arguing investigators failed to preserve key physical evidence. The US Attorney for Washington D.C., Jeanine Pirro, is prosecuting the case.
At least three other people have been charged with misdemeanors for allegedly removing pieces of paint from the reflecting pool, though the exact number is disputed. One source says at least three others besides Hearn, while another says three people total including Hearn were charged with misdemeanors.