Jurors in Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial reached a verdict on Tuesday after three hours of deliberations over two days. President Joe Biden’s son is accused of lying when he swore he wasn’t a drug user in order to buy a gun in 2018. Hunter Biden is facing three felony charges over the gun he had for 11 days before his brother’s widow found it in his truck and threw it in the trash.
Quick Read
- Verdict Reached: Jurors reached a verdict after three hours of deliberations over two days.
- Charges: Hunter Biden faced three felony charges for allegedly lying about his drug use on a 2018 gun purchase form.
- Gun Possession: Had the gun for 11 days before it was found and discarded by his brother’s widow.
- Defense Argument: Lawyers argued there was no proof Hunter Biden used drugs during the 11 days he possessed the gun; he had completed rehab weeks earlier.
- Prosecution Argument: Accused him of lying to a gun dealer, making a false claim about drug use, and illegally possessing the gun.
- Background: The trial highlighted Hunter Biden’s past struggle with crack cocaine addiction.
- Failed Plea Deal: Originally had a deal to avoid prosecution, which fell apart under judicial scrutiny.
- Potential Sentence: Faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted, but first-time offenders typically receive less severe sentences.
- Political Context: Trial occurs amid President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign; Hunter Biden also faces separate tax-related charges scheduled for trial in September.
The Associated Press has the story:
Jurors in Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial have reached a verdict
Newslooks- WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) —
Jurors in Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial reached a verdict on Tuesday after three hours of deliberations over two days.
President Joe Biden’s son is accused of lying when he swore he wasn’t a drug user in order to buy a gun in 2018.
Hunter Biden is facing three felony charges over the gun he had for 11 days before his brother’s widow found it in his truck and threw it in the trash.
The case has put on full display some of the darkest moments in the life of Hunter Biden, who has publicly documented his struggle with a crack cocaine addiction before getting sober more than five years ago.
Defense lawyers argued prosecutors failed to prove Hunter Biden was using drugs in the 11 days he possessed the gun. He had completed a rehab program weeks earlier.
It’s the first of two trials Hunter Biden is facing in the midst of his father’s Democratic reelection campaign. He also is charged with failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes in a case scheduled to go to trial in September in California.
Hunter Biden was supposed to have avoided prosecution in the gun case altogether, but a deal with prosecutors imploded after U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika raised concerns about it.
Hunter Biden was subsequently indicted on three gun counts: lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user and illegally having the gun for 11 days.
Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty and has accused the Justice Department of bending to political pressure from former President Donald Trump and other Republicans to bring the case and the separate tax charges after the deal with prosecutors fell apart last year.
If convicted in the gun case, Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison, though first-time offenders do not get anywhere near the maximum, and it’s unclear whether the judge would give him time behind bars.
