Biden is not going to be happy about this.
On Tuesday, a Delaware jury found Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, guilty on three felony counts related to gun possession while using narcotics. The weeklong trial in federal court in Wilmington revolved around Hunter Biden’s history with drug addiction. He faced charges for having a firearm while being a drug user, to which he had pleaded not guilty.
After beginning deliberations on Monday afternoon, the jury reached their verdict in about three hours. Hunter Biden remained stoic as the verdict was read, acknowledging it with a slight nod. The trial marks a significant moment as it involved the child of a sitting president, occurring amidst President Joe Biden’s campaign against former President Donald Trump for the upcoming election.
First Lady Jill Biden was not present in the courtroom during the verdict but arrived shortly after, joining Hunter in a private room. The charges carry potential sentences of up to 10 years for two counts and five years for the third, alongside fines up to $250,000 each. Sentencing guidelines suggest a possible prison term exceeding a year, but the final decision remains with the judge, and no sentencing date has been established yet.
President Biden expressed his love and support for his son, emphasizing their pride in Hunter despite the outcome, and reaffirmed his commitment to the judicial process. He also made it clear he would not pardon Hunter, as stated in a previous interview.
Hunter Biden thanked his family, friends, and wife for their support throughout the trial, highlighting the importance of recovery and the daily effort it requires. His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, mentioned the possibility of appealing the verdict, expressing disappointment but determination to pursue all available legal options.
The trial, which began on June 3, included testimony from Hunter’s former romantic partners, detailing his extensive drug use. A juror later remarked that political considerations did not influence the verdict, focusing instead on the evidence presented.
Two of the charges stemmed from Hunter allegedly lying on a federal form when purchasing a Colt Cobra revolver in October 2018, claiming he was not using illegal drugs. The third charge involved possession of a firearm while using narcotics. Special Counsel David Weiss, appointed during Trump’s administration, led the prosecution, emphasizing that the case was about illegal actions taken during addiction.
Hunter’s defense argued about the ambiguity in the gun purchase form’s wording, suggesting that while he struggled with addiction, he did not knowingly violate the law at the time of the gun purchase. They contended that Hunter’s admissions in his later-published memoir did not reflect his awareness during the gun acquisition period.
Prosecutors used excerpts from Hunter’s book and testimonies from acquaintances to argue he was indeed using drugs at the time. The evidence presented included texts and photos suggesting his drug use, as well as witness accounts of his behavior and cash withdrawals linked to buying drugs.
The case has political ramifications, with Republicans, particularly Trump, targeting Hunter Biden and his ties to his father. The trial’s outcome complicates arguments about alleged judicial bias, providing a new dynamic in ongoing political and legal debates.
The charges initially were part of a plea deal that fell apart, leading to the current trial. Another case against Hunter Biden on tax charges is scheduled for trial in California in September.