David ‘Davey’ Hearn, a former US Olympian, appeared in a Washington DC courtroom to enter a not guilty plea concerning accusations of vandalising the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn is facing a felony charge for property destruction, with authorities claiming he caused $1,000 worth of damage.
President Donald Trump previously cited vandalism for the degradation of the pool’s recently applied lining. Hearn, who was taken into custody last month, maintains he simply touched material that had already separated from the surface. His legal representative, Norm Eisen, argued outside the court that criminalising the act of touching water or the pool itself sets a concerning precedent for all citizens.
The 67-year-old, a three-time Olympic canoeist, is scheduled to return to court on 5 August. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro alleged that Hearn intentionally ripped the sealant on 19 June, a claim he vehemently denies. Meanwhile, Hearn’s defense team contends that the administration is using their client as a scapegoat for the unsuccessful $13 million renovation project, which has faced persistent issues with peeling sealant and algae growth.
According to the National Park Service, officials discovered evidence that the pool liner had been sliced with a sharp instrument earlier in June. As the site undergoes further repairs and cleaning following debris from recent July 4th celebrations, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum confirmed that the pool will be drained and the lining addressed.
