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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Michael Kunzelman

DC judge permanently dismisses case charging ex-Olympian with vandalizing Reflecting Pool

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

A judge in the nation’s capital agreed on Thursday to permanently dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a move that could prevent federal prosecutors from reviving the case under political pressure from President Donald Trump.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman ordered the dismissal of David Hearn’s case with “prejudice,” which would block U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office from refiling the felony charge against him. The judge ruled nearly a month after hearing attorneys’ arguments.

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