POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsFlorida PhoenixJuly 20, 2026Florida

Judge urges government to preserve Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool evidence

A D.C. Superior Court judge has advised the Trump administration to stop altering the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool while it is being used as evidence in a criminal case against a Maryland man. The defense argues that the government's remedial work on the pool prevents them from properly examining the site, while the judge has denied a current motion to dismiss the case.

legalcriminal justiceLincoln Memorialevidence preservation
Read the full story at Florida Phoenix

Why It Matters

The court's decision on whether the government must preserve the site directly impacts the ability of the defense to examine evidence in a criminal trial scheduled for September 28.

Key Facts

  • Judge Todd E. Edelman encouraged the government to stop further work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to preserve it as evidence.
  • The defense team filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the government's alteration of the site prevents a fair examination of evidence.
  • The judge denied the motion to dismiss without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled later.
  • The Interior Department is currently conducting remedial work on the pool after it was drained.
  • A readiness hearing is scheduled for September 11.
  • The trial is scheduled to begin on September 28.

Who's Mentioned

organizationInterior Department“The agency performing remedial work on the Reflecting Pool.”personDavid Hearn“Former Olympic canoeist and defendant in the criminal case.”personKevin Reddington“Assistant U.S. Attorney representing the government.”personMary Dohrmann“Principal at Washington Litigation Group and defense attorney for David Hearn.”organizationWashington Litigation Group“Law firm representing the defendant.”personTodd E. Edelman“Associate Judge of the D.C. Superior Court presiding over the case.”