Ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool gets Sept. 28 trial date

A former Olympic athlete faces a September 28 trial date in Washington, D.C., over allegations he intentionally damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a high-profile restoration project linked to former President Donald Trump. The case involves legal disputes over evidence preservation and political motivations, according to court documents and statements from the defendant’s legal team. David Hearn, a retired competitive canoeist, was indicted by a grand jury on a felony charge of property destruction following a hearing held earlier this month. Judge Todd Edelman of the D.C. Superior Court confirmed the trial date during a Monday session, marking Hearn’s second court appearance since the indictment. Hearn entered a plea of not guilty on July 9 and has filed motions requesting the court to dismiss the charges, citing concerns over the mishandling of critical physical evidence from the Reflecting Pool. In a court filing, Hearn’s attorneys contended that authorities have not adequately preserved key evidence related to the alleged damage. They pointed to recent actions by workers who drained the pool again, arguing that such measures undermine the defendant’s ability to defend himself effectively. “The Constitution simply does not permit the government to charge a man with destroying an object, retain exclusive custody of that object, and then drain, disturb, and alter the object before the defense may examine it, despite a written demand for its preservation. And yet that is what has happened here,” the filing stated. Other individuals have faced lesser charges in connection with the Reflecting Pool incident. At least three people were charged with misdemeanors for allegedly removing paint samples from the structure. However, Hearn’s charge stands apart due to its severity, carrying a potential maximum prison term of 10 years if convicted. The accusations against him allege that he caused at least $1,000 worth of damage to the pool. The Reflecting Pool, a central feature near the Lincoln Memorial, became the focus of extensive renovation efforts under Trump’s direction. The project was intended to coincide with the United States' 250th anniversary of independence. Initially projected to cost $1.5 million, the project’s expenses have ballooned beyond $16 million, drawing criticism from observers who question the management and execution of the work. President Trump has attributed some of the difficulties encountered during the renovation to acts of vandalism, while critics within and outside his administration suggest that poor quality control and substandard repairs are more likely culprits. Hearn and his supporters maintain that the legal action against him represents an effort by the Trump administration to shift attention away from its own shortcomings regarding the project. Hearn recounted to The Associated Press that he was detained for several hours by National Guard personnel and U.S. Park Police on June 19 after visiting the Reflecting Pool during a bicycle ride. During this encounter, he reportedly examined the newly exposed surface of the pool and briefly made contact with a piece of material affixed to its edge. According to Hearn, he complied with instructions from a park employee who directed him to release the item. Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Hearn participated in three Summer Olympic Games, achieving his highest placement of ninth in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, as documented by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. His athletic career is now overshadowed by the legal proceedings surrounding the Reflecting Pool incident. The upcoming trial will determine whether the allegations against him hold up under scrutiny, particularly given the contentious nature of the circumstances surrounding the case.