Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, faced a significant setback as a Delaware jury convicted him on three federal felonies related to unlawfully purchasing a gun while addicted to drugs in 2018. The verdict, reached after a brief deliberation, found him guilty of lying on a federal form to purchase a gun, lying to a firearm dealer, and illegally possessing the gun for 11 days. These charges carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines.
The case centered on a Colt Cobra .38 purchased by Hunter Biden in October 2018, during a period of alleged addiction to crack cocaine. Prosecutors used Hunter Biden’s memoir, “Beautiful Things,” as key evidence, highlighting passages where he detailed his drug addiction. They also presented text messages from his electronic devices discussing his drug use around the time of the gun purchase.
Testimony from Hunter Biden’s daughter, Naomi Biden, and three of his exes, including Hallie Biden, his brother Beau Biden’s widow, played a crucial role. Hallie Biden testified that she found the gun in Hunter Biden’s truck alongside crack remnants and disposed of it in a local grocery store’s trash bin before it was later found by law enforcement.
In his defense, Hunter Biden’s legal team argued that he may not have “knowingly” lied on the form, believing he was clean at the time. They also contended that prosecutors failed to prove the overlap between Hunter Biden’s drug use and the gun purchase.
Following the verdict, Hunter Biden expressed gratitude for the support he received. President Biden released a statement expressing love and pride in his son, stating that he would respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal.
Critics, including a spokesperson for former President Donald Trump’s campaign, called the trial a distraction from alleged crimes by the Biden family, though these claims have not been substantiated.
The case is part of a broader legal battle for Hunter Biden, who faces separate federal tax charges in Los Angeles. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges, and his trial is scheduled for September 3rd.
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