Hunter Biden is seeking a delay in his federal gun case, requesting an appeals court to halt the trial set to begin next month in Delaware. His defense attorneys argue that there is no urgent need to start the trial on the scheduled date of June 3, citing the short time between the Delaware trial and another trial on tax charges in California. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to lying about his drug use in 2018 to purchase a gun. While he has admitted to a crack cocaine addiction during that time, his lawyers maintain that he did not break the law.
His legal team is asking the full 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to hear a bid to dismiss the prosecution, which was previously rejected by a three-judge panel. They are also appealing a decision from U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika regarding the case’s alleged violation of the Second Amendment. These rulings have cleared the way for the Justice Department to proceed with the trial, which falls during President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. Hunter Biden is facing a separate tax case in California, slated to go to trial in late June.
Initially, an investigation into Hunter Biden’s case seemed to be heading towards a plea deal last year, but the agreement fell through after concerns were raised by a judge. If the deal had gone through, he would have received probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor tax charges and avoided prosecution for the gun charge. His attorneys argue that the decision to indict him was influenced by political pressure and criticism from former President Donald Trump and other Republicans. They have also contested the appointment of Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss as special counsel for the prosecution.
Prosecutors maintain that the evidence against Hunter Biden is strong, including the discovery of cocaine residue in the pouch where he stored his gun. Judge Noreika, appointed by former President Trump, dismissed claims that political influence played a role in the case, stating that there was no credible evidence to suggest that lawmakers or others influenced the special counsel’s decision. In addition to the gun charges, Hunter Biden is facing tax counts in Los Angeles, accusing him of failing to pay over $1.4 million in taxes while leading an extravagant lifestyle during his drug use days. He is challenging rulings that rejected his motions to dismiss these charges.
