The prosecution rested in Hunter Biden’s gun trial after calling its last two witnesses, including a chemist for the FBI and a DEA agent, who testified about finding cocaine residue in the leather pouch recovered with the gun. The defense has called Hunter Biden’s daughter, Naomi Biden, to testify, and the defense has raised questions about the timing of the forensic analysis of the evidence. DEA agent Joshua Romig interpreted some of Hunter Biden’s text messages from 2018-2019, which referenced terms related to cocaine, and analyzed the drug paraphernalia mentioned in the messages. The defense focused on the timing of the texts, noting that they were exchanged before and after the firearm purchase, with one text explicitly mentioning smoking crack cocaine.
Hunter Biden’s trial includes charges of making false statements on a federal gun form about his drug use and possessing the gun unlawfully, as well as accusations that he was addicted to crack cocaine during the time of the gun purchase. His attorneys are now presenting their case and may put him on the witness stand, though they have not yet decided. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his late brother’s widow, Hallie Biden, testified about discovering the gun in his car and disposing of it in a dumpster. The defense has sought to raise questions about whether Hunter Biden knowingly omitted information from the disclosure form due to denial about his drug use, and potential jurors with experience with drug addiction were asked during jury selection.
Hunter Biden’s defense has questioned the authenticity of the text messages introduced as evidence and raised doubts about the forensic analysis of the evidence. Testimony from family members, including Hunter’s ex-wife and former girlfriend, has focused on his alleged drug use, with Hallie Biden testifying that Hunter introduced her to crack cocaine during their romantic relationship. Several Biden family members, including the first lady, Jill Biden, have attended the trial, along with President Biden’s brother, James Biden, who has been a business associate of Hunter. President Biden stated in an interview that he would rule out pardoning his son if he is convicted, as Hunter faces up to 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines if found guilty.
The defense in Hunter Biden’s trial is presenting its case, including testimony from family members and associates about his alleged drug use. The defense has raised questions about the timing of the evidence and the authenticity of the text messages introduced in court. Hunter Biden’s late brother’s widow, Hallie Biden, testified about finding and disposing of the gun, while the defense has suggested that Hunter may have omitted information from the gun form due to denial about his drug use. President Biden has stated that he would not pardon his son if convicted, and Hunter faces serious penalties if found guilty of the charges related to the firearm purchase and alleged drug use. Witnesses and family members continue to testify in the trial, with Hunter’s wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, and first lady Jill Biden attending the proceedings. The defense is working to counter the prosecution’s case and raise doubts about the evidence.
