What changed in this update
The ex-Olympian accused of damaging the reflecting pool tells NPR the experience has been "Orwellian" and "Kafkaesque." And it's not over yet: His lawyers are fighting to close the case permanently.
Event intelligence
David Hearn Reflecting Pool vandalism case dismissal
2 connected story threads
Current state
Federal criminal charges against former Olympian David Hearn for damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool have been permanently dismissed by D.C. Judge Todd Edelman, who cited “exceptional circumstances” and barred the government from refiling them; prosecutors had earlier moved to dismiss after concluding the damage was caused by a contractor’s botched installation rather than vandalism.
Grounded in 4 reports across 3 sources
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Source reports
CBS
White House asked DOJ about new Reflecting Pool case against David Hearn
Guardian
White House pushes DoJ to revive reflecting pool case against Olympian
Justice department is asked to weigh new charges against David Hearn after US attorney dropped vandalism charges The White House has asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to weigh new charges against a former Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, according to a person familiar with the matter, pushing to revive a case Donald Trump has fumed about ever since an ally dropped the case ci…
NPR – Politics NPR
After his Reflecting Pool vandalism case is dismissed, David Hearn looks for closure
The ex-Olympian accused of damaging the reflecting pool tells NPR the experience has been "Orwellian" and "Kafkaesque." And it's not over yet: His lawyers are fighting to close the case permanently.
