Judge permanently dismisses Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool vandalism case against former Olympian

A judge on Thursday permanently dismissed the vandalism case against former Olympian David Hearn, who was accused of damaging the costly $14 million renovation project in June.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelmans ruling marks the end of a monthslong legal battle that included President criticizing U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro after she moved to voluntarily dismiss the federal charges in late July.

Unlike Pirros decision, Thursdays ruling was made with prejudice, meaning the Department of Justice () cannot refile the same charges against Hearn.

Edelman rejected prosecutors request to preserve the possibility of recharging Hearn if new evidence surfaced, finding that existing investigative findings were sufficient to show the damage stemmed from a flawed renovation job.

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"In the exceptional circumstances posed by this case, the government has no right to retain the ability to compound the errors it has already made, or even to threaten to do so, at Mr. Hearns expense," Edelman said. "This case must be dismissed with prejudice, and the government must thus be barred from reinstituting this charge against Mr. Hearn."

Hearns counsel described the decision as a victory for "an innocent American seeking justice."

"This case never should have been brought in the first place. This was a miscarriage of justice, and what happened to Mr. Hearn is an outrage that should shock every American," Hearns counsel said in a statement.

"This administration chose to pursue an unjust prosecution against Mr. Hearn. It should not get repeated chances to wield the power of criminal prosecution against someone who should never have been prosecuted."

Fox News Digital reached out to the for comment. 

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Hearn was arrested June 19 and later indicted on one felony count of destruction of property for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pools lining.

Prosecutors alleged that Hearn was seen grabbing and tugging on a loose section of the pools coating, reportedly causing about $1,000 in damage. Officials added that he continued to do so even after National Park Service employees urged him to stop.

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Trump has strictly maintained that the pool was vandalized, criticizing Pirros decision to drop the case as "hastily made."

"Anybody who thinks the Reflecting Pool wasnt vandalized should go back to Law School!" Trump previously said in a post on Truth Social.

"People were on their knees with their hands in the water at the exact location of the slashes. Additionally, there were witnesses to the VANDALISM, and the flexible areas of the material were cut with a knife."

The DOJ moved to dismiss the indictment after evidence from the Department of the Interior revealed that the damage was caused by a "rushed and botched" installation by contractor Atlantic Industrial Coatings ahead of the America 250 celebrations, court filings said.