Reflecting Pool vandal fears being targeted by US Government following abandoned case
A former Olympian who was accused of vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is concerned the Trump administration could 'target' him in the future.
Last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped all criminal charges against David Hearn after he was indicted by a federal grand jury on a single felony count of property destruction.
The former canoeist faced up to a decade behind bars after he was accused of deliberately tearing a piece of newly installed sealant from Donald Trump's much talked about Reflecting Pool.
However, a page court filing saw government lawyers admit the excessive peeling seen on the pool was the result of a 'flawed installation by the contractor' and a 'rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the Amgerica 250 celebration.'
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US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in dismissal motion: "Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt."
Despite having all criminal charges dropped against him, Hearn's lawyer are concerned the case could come to fruition once more given Trump's very public frustration at the whole Reflecting Pool fiasco.
The former Olympian's lawyers told the judge in court papers: "Rather than bringing the matter to a close, the dismissal has become the subject of an ongoing apparent public disagreement within the Executive Branch itself.
"The government’s decision to dismiss has not eliminated the possibility that Mr. Hearn could again become the target of prosecution should political pressure yet again prevail over the facts and the evidence now reflected in the government’s motion to dismiss."
After charges were dropped against Hearn, President Trump stated he was 'extremely disappointed' in the outcome.
Speaking to press in the Oval Office earlier this week, the POTUS said: "I was disappointed in Jeanine Pirro. Really disappointed with Jeanine Pirro.
"She folded like an umbrella. People get away with things, it's a disgrace."
Trump continued: "I think she choked, because the judge was really vicious. Instead of going after the people who did it, he went after her, and went after her department, and I guess she choked. I don’t know what the happened.”
And that was the last Trump was going to say on the matter, because as reporters asked him questions on Hearn's charge being drop, the president was in no mood to discuss.
"Are you reconsidering her role?" the president was asked.
"I don't know what.... you're fake news, don't ever talk again," Trump quickly responded.
He added: "You're fake news, one of the worst in the business. Fortunately no body watches you."
Hearn long maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, stating that he had reached into the water to examine a piece of lining that was already peeled off.
He let go of it when asked by park staff, his lawyers said.
“Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong,” Hearn’s lawyers said in a statement after criminal charges were dropped.
“The government's approach was ready, fire, aim. The administration owes Mr Hearn an apology.”
Topics: Olympics, Donald Trump, US News, Crime
Callum Jones