Former Olympian accused of vandalizing Reflecting Pool fights to have charges permanently dismissed

On hold tonight for former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, his felony charge for vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial for Reflecting Pool was dropped in July. A judge is weighing whether to dismiss the case permanently. Fox News Tisha Lewis is in Northwest tonight. Hi there. The judge deciding to take the case under advisement, ultimately saying that he would make a ruling very soon, but not giving a specific date or timeline for that specific ruling. Ultimately, the big takeaway from court today is that there was no crime committed because the Reflecting Pool lining was already ruined and damaged. Large group, meanwhile, of demonstrators convened outside this courtroom during the hearing, all in support of Hearn. Dozens of demonstrators showing up outside D.C.'s Superior Court in support of Olympic canoeist David Hearn. Inside the courtroom, a judge listened to arguments on both sides. Hearn's defense, who argued the judge should dismiss the case with prejudice preventing any future prosecution, and then Hearn's defense team ultimately calling the case extraordinary harassment of not only Mr. Hearn, but of his counsel being, quote, dragged into it as well, going on to say they have never seen a case like this. Also saying it is not right that this case should hang over Hearn's head, the government arguing the case be dismissed without prejudice, allowing for future prosecution should additional evidence surface. I just want to thank everyone who's out here supporting me and everyone across the country. I want to thank my lawyers for making sure that this case is represented well. And I just want to say it's not about me. This is about defending democracy. The judge said that a decision would be issued very soon. We can't control when judges issue their decisions, but he did indicate it would be forthcoming shortly. In court today, several details emerged, including investigators learning that a piece of the lining was already damaged. Also, the government admitting it is not currently investigating this case. The judge even citing the president's comments about the dismissal. The president saying it was a mistake and calling it, quote, a stupid thing. Even so, the judge deciding not to make a ruling today, saying he's taking it under advisement and going to take some time before he has a ruling very soon.