Hunter Biden has been found guilty on all counts in his gun trial.
Hunter Biden has been found guilty on all counts in his gun trial.
During the trial, Biden showed minimal emotion upon hearing the verdict, keeping a composed demeanor with folded arms. He later embraced members of his legal team.
The charges include two counts related to falsifying information about his drug use on a federal background check and one count for possessing a firearm while addicted to or using drugs.
Following the court proceedings, Biden kissed and hugged his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, before being escorted out by Secret Service agents. The case has garnered significant public and media attention, largely due to Biden’s high-profile family connections and his own past struggles with addiction, which he has openly discussed. In his statement following the verdict, Biden expressed disappointment but also gratitude for the support from his family and friends. Among those present at the trial were his wife, Melissa, and his uncle, James Biden. US First Lady Jill Biden was seen arriving shortly after the verdict was announced, leaving with her stepson amid a crowd of journalists.
Legal experts suggest that while Hunter Biden could face prison time, it is improbable that he will receive the maximum sentence of 25 years. The sentencing date has not yet been set but is expected within 120 days of the conviction.
Biden’s defense attorney, Abbe Lowell, has vowed to exhaust all legal avenues to challenge the conviction.
Special counsel David Weiss emphasized that the case was about the illegal actions Biden took while struggling with addiction, reinforcing that no one is above the law. On the same day as the verdict, President Joe Biden was in Washington, D.C., speaking at a gun control conference. Later, he traveled to Wilmington, where he was seen embracing his son and family members on the tarmac. The president expressed pride in his son’s efforts to overcome his addiction, acknowledging the challenges faced by families dealing with similar issues. Before the trial, President Biden had stated he would not consider pardoning his son if convicted, committing to respect the judicial process.
The charges against Hunter Biden originate from his purchase of a Colt Cobra Special revolver in October 2018. He retained the gun for about 11 days before it was discarded in a trash bin by Hallie Biden, his then-girlfriend and the widow of his brother Beau Biden. Biden’s history with drug addiction, particularly his struggle with crack cocaine, has been documented in his memoir and was a significant aspect of the trial. Testimonies from his ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, and a former girlfriend, Zoe Kestan, described extensive drug binges, painting a vivid picture of his past.
The timing of the conviction is politically sensitive for President Joe Biden, who is gearing up for a re-election campaign against former President Donald Trump. Trump’s camp has dismissed the trial as a diversion from what they claim are more significant issues within the Biden family. In contrast, some Republicans involved in investigating Hunter Biden view the verdict as a step towards accountability. House Oversight Chairman James Comer publicly welcomed the conviction.
In court, both the defense and prosecution stressed that Hunter Biden’s family connections should not influence the jury’s decision. Jurors confirmed they adhered to this directive, with one juror stating that they did not consider the political implications during deliberations.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles are far from over. He faces another trial in September for allegedly evading $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019, a period during which he reportedly spent millions on drugs, escorts, and luxury items. This ongoing legal battle continues to add complexity to an already challenging period for the Biden family.
Source: BBC news
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