Key facts
- A judge permanently dismissed charges against former Olympian David Hearn.
- Hearn was accused of damaging the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.
- The judge cited political pressure from the Trump administration.
- The dismissal bars the government from charging Hearn again with the same evidence.
A judge in Washington has permanently dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit against former Olympian David Hearn, who was charged with damaging the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman dismissed the criminal case with prejudice, meaning the administration cannot charge Hearn again based on the same evidence.
Edelman, an Obama appointee, stated that Hearn was at risk of being re-charged due to political pressure from the President of the United States. The judge noted that the government's representations about future evidence were theoretical at best and that dismissing the case without prejudice would leave Hearn vulnerable to another "meritless, politically motivated prosecution."