DOVER, Del. (Diya TV) — A Delaware jury convicted Hunter Biden on three federal gun charges, marking the first time a sitting president’s child has faced such a verdict. This conviction comes amid a highly publicized trial that delved into Hunter’s past struggles with drug addiction.
The jury, composed of 12 Delaware residents, took roughly three hours to deliberate before reaching a unanimous decision. Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son, faced three felony charges: lying about his drug use on a federal gun purchase form and possessing a firearm while being a drug user. These charges stemmed from an incident in 2018 when Hunter Biden purchased a gun but falsely claimed he was not using drugs.
The trial, which lasted just over a week, shed light on Hunter Biden’s cocaine addiction at the time he acquired the firearm. Key testimonies came from several women from his past, including his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle, his late brother’s widow Hallie Biden, and an ex-girlfriend. These witnesses detailed Hunter’s erratic behavior and drug use during that period. Hallie Biden testified that Hunter’s use of crack cocaine often made him “agitated or high-strung,” but at other times, he appeared to function normally.
A pivotal moment in the trial occurred when Hallie Biden recounted discovering the firearm in Hunter’s truck. Panicked, she disposed of the gun in a grocery store dumpster, an action that eventually led to the criminal case against Hunter.
Hunter Biden’s defense team, led by attorney Abbe Lowell, argued that Hunter did not believe he was lying when he answered “no” to the question about drug use on the gun purchase form. At the time of the purchase, Hunter had recently completed a rehab stint and believed he was on the path to recovery. His daughter, Naomi Biden, supported this by testifying that her father seemed well in October 2018, despite knowing he had been struggling with addiction.
However, the prosecution countered with evidence showing that Hunter’s drug use extended well before and after the gun purchase. They highlighted text messages and testimonies suggesting Hunter had lost control of his addiction during that period.
In his closing arguments, prosecutor Leo Wise emphasized that Hunter Biden’s drug problem persisted through the time he bought the gun, saying, “He had lost control.” Meanwhile, the defense argued no one had witnessed Hunter using drugs the month he bought the firearm, attempting to undermine the prosecution’s case.
The maximum penalties for Hunter Biden’s convictions include up to 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines, though first-time offenders rarely receive the maximum sentence. A sentencing date has not yet been set. President Biden has publicly stated that he will not pardon his son if convicted.
Hunter Biden also faces additional charges in California related to failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes and filing false returns, with that trial expected to commence in September.
Following the verdict, President Biden issued a statement expressing his acceptance of the jury’s decision and reiterating his support for his son. “Jill and I love our son, and we are proud of the man he is today,” the president said. First Lady Jill Biden attended several days of the trial, including the day the verdict was announced.
Hunter Biden, in a joint statement with his attorney, expressed gratitude for the support he received from his wife Melissa and his community, despite his disappointment with the verdict. “Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time,” he said.
Attorney Abbe Lowell indicated that they would vigorously challenge the verdict, stating, “We will continue to pursue all legal avenues available to us.”
