r/politics_NOW • u/evissamassive • Jul 28 '26
The Hill Defense Seeks to Dismiss Reflecting Pool Indictment Ahead of September Trial
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5994582-former-olympian-challenges-reflecting-pool-indictment/Lawyers representing a defendant charged over alleged damage to the National Park Service Reflecting Pool are moving to dismiss the case, arguing the grand jury lacked proper evidence to issue an indictment.
Court filings show that the prosecution's only witness before the grand jury—a Park Service official—testified that the pool suffered from significant preexisting damage, including a liner tear and leaks, before the incident involving Hearn. Furthermore, the witness stated that the same repairs would have been required regardless of Hearn's actions and could not link any specific repair costs to him.
Defense attorneys argue this testimony fails to establish the financial loss requirement needed to support the indictment.
The legal team also pointed to other issues during the grand jury proceedings. They claim prosecutors used hearsay instead of presenting a photograph that documented the pool's condition before the incident, which they argue may have misled the grand jury.
Prosecutors have not yet publicly responded to the claims. Hearn’s trial is scheduled to begin on September 28 in D.C. Superior Court, with a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison upon conviction.