Witness Says Lincoln Pool Had $6,000-$15,000 Damage Before Hearn, Undercutting Felony Case
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 28
Witness Says Lincoln Pool Had $6,000-$15,000 Damage Before Hearn, Undercutting Felony Case
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 28
Summary
A National Park Service witness told the grand jury the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool already had substantial damage before David Hearn allegedly touched it, according to a defense filing released Monday.
More than 1 million gallons a week were leaking from the pool, its expansion joints had exceeded their service life, and the liner already had a rip, Hearn's lawyers said, adding the witness could not quantify any damage caused by him.
Hearn's attorneys asked for all grand jury testimony and the prosecutors' legal instructions, arguing the indictment may have been unlawfully returned because the evidence did not show he caused the more than $1,000 in damage needed for the felony charge.
Hearn, 67, pleaded not guilty earlier in July to one felony count of property destruction, which carries up to 10 years in prison and a $1,000 fine, and is scheduled for trial on Sept. 28 in Washington.
The case grew out of problems with Trump's $16 million pool renovation, which failed to stop leaks and algae blooms and became a political flashpoint before July 4 celebrations.