Jurors in Hunter Biden’s gun trial have begun deliberating whether the President’s son is guilty of federal firearms charges related to a revolver he bought in 2018 while allegedly addicted to crack cocaine. The prosecution has presented evidence including testimony from former partners, text messages, and photos to argue that Hunter broke the law. Despite his public acknowledgment of his drug addiction recovery, Hunter maintains that he did not consider himself an “addict” when he purchased the gun.
The case has become a high-profile battle between Hunter Biden and his father’s Justice Department, with special counsel David Weiss leading the investigation. Before the case went to the jury, the prosecutor urged jurors to focus on the evidence presented and not be swayed by the presence of the President’s family in the courtroom. First Lady Jill Biden, who attended most of the trial, left shortly after deliberations began. Defense attorney Abbe Lowell argued that prosecutors had failed to prove their case, emphasizing that Hunter deserves the same presumption of innocence as any other defendant.
The trial has highlighted a tumultuous period in Hunter Biden’s life following his brother Beau’s death in 2015. Testimony from Hunter’s ex-wife and former girlfriends painted a picture of his drug use, with one witness describing his frequent crack smoking. Jurors also heard excerpts from Hunter’s memoir detailing his addiction struggles. A key witness for the prosecution was Beau’s widow, Hallie, who found the gun in Hunter’s truck and disposed of it in a grocery store trash can. The prosecutor pointed to text messages suggesting drug deals around the time of the gun purchase as further evidence against Hunter.
The defense argued that there was no direct witness to drug use during the period when Hunter had the gun, casting doubt on the credibility of the prosecution’s witnesses. Despite not testifying in his defense, Hunter smiled and interacted with his legal team after the final witness. President Joe Biden has stated that he will accept the jury’s verdict and ruled out a presidential pardon for his son. If convicted, Hunter faces up to 25 years in prison, though first-time offenders typically receive lesser sentences. Hunter also faces separate tax evasion charges, with a trial scheduled for September.
The trial has unfolded in Delaware, the Biden family’s home state, with President Biden having served as a senator for 36 years. Hunter’s legal troubles have put a spotlight on his past struggles and efforts to turn his life around. As deliberations continue, the outcome of the trial remains uncertain, with implications for both Hunter Biden and his family. The defense’s argument of a lack of sufficient evidence versus the prosecution’s portrayal of Hunter’s actions as criminal will ultimately be decided by the jury.
