Former US Olympian David Hearn pleads not guilty in Reflecting Pool vandalism case
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Former US Olympic canoeist David Hearn has pleaded not guilty to deliberately damaging the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. The 67-year-old entered the plea through one of his attorneys during his initial court appearance, having been arrested last month and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury over the incident at the landmark site.
Hearn appeared in D.C. Superior Court, where Judge Carmen McLean ruled that he need not be supervised by the court while awaiting trial. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro had earlier announced the indictment, which was handed down on Thursday. A status hearing in the case has been scheduled for 5 August.
- Ex-Olympic canoeist David Hearn denies damaging Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
- The 67-year-old was indicted by a federal grand jury.
- A status hearing is set for 5 August.
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Former US Olympic canoeist David Hearn is facing federal charges after allegedly damaging the newly renovated Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Hearn, who is 67, competed for the United States in Olympic canoeing before his athletic career ended; he was arrested last month and later indicted by a federal grand jury over the alleged vandalism.
The Reflecting Pool is one of the most recognisable landmarks on the National Mall, sitting between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, and had recently undergone renovation work before the alleged incident took place. Cases involving damage to protected federal monuments are typically prosecuted by the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, which is how Hearn's case has come before the courts.
The case is now moving through the early stages of the criminal justice process, with Hearn having entered a plea and a court date set for further proceedings. As it stands, no findings of guilt have been made, and the case is expected to continue working its way through the D.C. court system in the coming months.
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