Ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool sees 'irregularities' in grand jury proceedings

David Hearn, a former Olympian charged with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, is asking a court for access to all closed-door grand jury testimony that led to his indictment, alleging “irregularities” in the proceedings. In a filing Monday, Hearn’s attorneys requested a complete transcript of the grand jury process and disclosure of the legal instructions prosecutors gave jurors about the elements of the alleged property destruction. Hearn pleaded not guilty this month to one felony count, with a trial scheduled to begin Sept. 28 in D.C. Superior Court. The charge carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence and alleges at least $1,000 in damage to the pool. Defense attorneys argue prosecutors did not present sufficient evidence supporting the alleged damage amount, pointing to National Park Service testimony that the pool was already damaged before Hearn allegedly touched it and that the repairs would have been required regardless of his actions.