A trial date has been set for former U.S. Olympian David Hearn, who faces felony charges related to the alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. The trial is scheduled to begin on September 28 in D.C. Superior Court.
Hearn, 67, is one of seven individuals charged in connection with incidents involving damage or interference with the pool’s renovation. He is the only defendant facing a felony charge of destruction of property; the others have been charged with misdemeanors or received citations requiring court appearances.
The case stems from an ongoing controversy surrounding the Trump administration’s effort to renovate the reflecting pool, a project that has drawn criticism for its cost and approach to controlling persistent algae growth. The renovation, which began in advance of the nation’s 250th anniversary, has included upgrades to the pool’s water-purification system, repairs to expansion joints between large concrete slabs, and the application of a blue-tinted waterproofing liner described by former President Trump as "American flag blue."
Hearn was arrested last month after authorities said he peeled off sections of the blue waterproof coating, which had begun to peel days earlier, according to internal documents. Following his arrest, Hearn’s lawyers argued that his contact with the liner was nonsubstantive, describing it as an act of curiosity rather than intentional damage.
During a hearing on Monday, Hearn entered a not guilty plea and confirmed his understanding of the trial schedule with Judge Todd E. Edelman presiding. At the hearing, the defense filed a motion to dismiss the case, contending that prosecutors had failed to preserve critical physical evidence, including the pool and the relevant section of its liner. Judge Edelman declined to dismiss the charges but issued a caution to prosecutors, warning that ongoing work on the pool could impair the defense’s ability to conduct a proper inspection.
Prosecutors indicated they are striving to maintain the pool’s condition to accommodate defense experts’ review. However, on the same day as the hearing, photographs taken at the pool showed National Park Service crews removing sections of the blue lining with their bare hands as part of inspection efforts. The Interior Department confirmed the crews were examining expansion joints but declined to comment further on the litigation due to its pending nature.
The pool was drained earlier this month to facilitate repairs to the peeling liner, but the removal of algae-control devices during the renovation allowed significant algae blooms to develop, turning the water green in contrast to its intended blue hue. The total cost of the renovation has reached approximately $16.4 million, procured through no-bid contracts to meet the July 4 deadline.
The case raises questions about the handling of public resources amid high-profile federal projects and the extent of accountability for individuals alleged to have interfered with them. The trial will proceed later this year as the legal process moves forward.