A Witness in the Washington DC Reflecting Pool Case Said It Was Already Damaged when he was there and saw it.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was already in disrepair before former Olympian David Hearn allegedly caused any damage, his lawyers say.
The claim came in a court filing after months of scrutiny over the Reflecting Pool, which has faced algae growth, leaks and deteriorating liner material following a high-profile rehabilitation project ordered by President Donald Trump.
Hearn, 67, was initially detained June 19 by National Guard troops and U.S. Park Police after he reached into the water to get a closer look at paint peeling from the pool amid a $14 million renovation. He was later indicted on a felony charge.
In a motion filed Monday, Hearn's attorneys said the government's only witness on damages told grand jurors the pool was already deteriorated and that repairs would have been needed regardless of Hearn's alleged actions.