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Legal

Trial Date Set for Former Olympian Charged With Damaging Reflecting Pool

A September trial date has been set for David Hearn, a former Olympic athlete charged with causing intentional damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Sourced from Associated Press
Published July 20, 2026 at 11:38 AM EDT
Trial Date Set for Former Olympian Charged With Damaging Reflecting Pool

The Facts

Who
David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist.
What
Setting of a trial date for David Hearn.
When
Monday, July 20, 2026 (based on article timestamp context)
Where
Washington, D.C.
Why
To resolve charges that Hearn deliberately damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool by driving a vehicle into it.

A judge in the District of Columbia has scheduled a September trial for David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn faces charges for an incident in which he allegedly drove a truck into the water feature on the National Mall.

The incident occurred in early 2017 during the period surrounding the presidential inauguration. According to investigators, Hearn deliberately navigated his vehicle into the pool, which resulted in structural damage. The National Park Service previously estimated the cost of repairs for the site, though the specific indictment details the charges as injury to government property.

Hearn, who competed for the United States in several Olympic Games, has entered a plea of not guilty. His legal team has not commented publicly on the setting of the trial date. The proceedings are expected to begin in federal court this fall to determine Hearn's liability for the damages.

This story was rewritten from reporting at Associated Press. Read the original for full detail.

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