WILMINGTON, Delaware — Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, was found guilty on Tuesday of three felony charges related to his purchase of a handgun in 2018. This marks the first time in U.S. history that a child of a sitting president has been convicted in a criminal trial.
Details of the Conviction
The unanimous verdict from the jury, composed of six men and six women, came after three hours of deliberation. Hunter Biden, 54, faces a potential maximum prison sentence of 25 years. However, as a first-time offender with non-violent crimes, his sentence is likely to be significantly less, potentially as low as two years or even probation. The sentencing will be determined by Judge Maryellen Noreika in the upcoming months.
Background of the Charges
The charges stem from Biden’s purchase of a Colt revolver in October 2018. At the time, Biden was struggling with an addiction to crack cocaine. Prosecutors claimed he falsely stated on purchase paperwork that he did not use illegal drugs, which is illegal. Biden possessed the gun for 11 days before his brother’s widow, Hallie Biden, found it and disposed of it in a grocery store trash can. The gun was later found by a man scavenging for recyclables and turned over to the police.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
In addition to the gun charges, Hunter Biden faces federal charges for allegedly failing to pay over $1.4 million in taxes on time. This trial is scheduled to begin in September in Los Angeles. Both cases are being prosecuted by Special Counsel David Weiss, who has investigated Hunter Biden for several years.
Trial Highlights
The trial began on June 3 and included testimony from three of Biden’s former romantic partners, all of whom discussed his drug use in 2018. The trial’s most emotional moment came when Biden’s daughter, Naomi, testified about his condition at the time of the gun purchase, claiming he seemed well. However, prosecutors countered her testimony with text messages revealing his erratic behavior.
Hunter Biden did not testify in his own defense, and his legal team is expected to appeal the conviction. They argue that the federal law barring drug users from possessing guns is unconstitutional, a claim Judge Noreika rejected but will likely be revisited on appeal.
Political and Personal Ramifications
The conviction is a significant personal blow to President Joe Biden, who has expressed deep concern over his son’s legal troubles and their potential impact on his sobriety. This verdict also arrives just weeks before the first presidential debate, adding another layer of complexity to an already charged political season. President Biden will face former President Donald Trump, who himself is a newly convicted felon, highlighting the unprecedented intertwining of the current election cycle with the criminal justice system.
Previous Plea Deal Collapse
Hunter Biden almost avoided trials on these charges through a tentative plea deal last year. The deal would have seen him plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges while prosecutors deferred and eventually dropped the gun charges, contingent on Biden’s compliance with certain conditions. However, the deal collapsed after Judge Noreika questioned its specifics.
Conclusion
The historic conviction of Hunter Biden is expected to have far-reaching implications both legally and politically. As the President grapples with his son’s legal battles, the nation watches closely, noting the profound personal and political stakes involved.
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