HUNTER Biden was accused of telling his brother’s widow he was waiting for a drug dealer just days after lying in the form of a gun, a court heard.
The president’s 54-year-old son faces three firearms-related charges for allegedly possessing a gun while an active drug user in 2018.
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When jury selection began in Delaware on Monday, the younger Biden became the first child of a U.S. president to face a criminal trial.
He was accused of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer by making a false statement on the application that he was not a drug user and had possessed the gun illegally for 11 days.
Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors told the jury in their opening statement that Biden was trying to get drugs just days after he lied on the form, telling his brother’s widow in a text that he was waiting for a drug dealer.
They also played for jurors an audio excerpt from his 2021 memoir, Beautiful Things, in which he talked about returning to Delaware around the time of the gun purchase.
Federal prosecutor Derek Hines said during the bombshell trial: “No one is allowed to lie on a federal form like this, not even Hunter Biden.
“He crossed the line when he decided to buy a gun and lied on a federal background check…the defendant’s choice to buy a gun is why we are here.
“When the defendant filled out this form, he knew he was addicted to drugs, and prosecutors do not need to prove he was using that day.
“Addiction is depressing, but Hunter Biden’s addiction is not the reason for the case.”
Hines added: “It was illegal because he was a crack user and a drug addict. No one is above the law.”
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President Biden shared a statement ahead of his son’s trial in federal court in the Bidens’ hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.
As president, Joe Biden stated that he would not discuss the criminal case, but that, as a father, he has “unlimited love for my son, trust in him and respect for his strength”.
“I am the president, but I am also a father,” declared the US leader.
“Our son is loved by Jill and I, and we are so proud of the guy he has become.
Meanwhile, Hunter Biden still has options to fight his federal gun charge, a legal expert said.
FIGHT
Will Trachman, general counsel at the Mountain States Legal Foundation, told The US Sun that the possible paths for the president’s son are:
- Let’s say he wasn’t an addict, claiming that the definition of an addict is “ambiguous”
- Let’s say he didn’t sign the firearms form confirming he could legally purchase the gun
- Say the law is unconstitutional
However, the legal expert emphasizes that it is a tall hill to climb.
“It is much more credible to give credence to all the evidence that Hunter Biden himself created than to a claim that is only being made as part of the purpose of a criminal defense.
“So I think those therapist notes and everything else are going to be high and prohibitive of the fact that Hunter was in fact an addict.”
Tracher added that Hunter Biden’s trial is “unprecedented.”
“We’ve had a situation like this before and it took us many, many years to get to this point,” he said.
“The charges relate to conduct from several years ago when Hunter Biden was struggling with all these addiction issues, so it wasn’t a short road to get here.”
When asked whether the trial could lead to an easy conviction, Trachman said it is currently “hard to say.”
“This is a jury made up of your peers in Delaware. The Biden name is very important in Delaware, and so the selected jurors may be willing to cut him some slack.”
He [Hunter Biden] crossed the line when he decided to buy a gun and lied on a federal background check
Derek Hines
However, he noted that it appears the evidence presented so far is “almost as good as any other criminal case.”
“It appears they trapped him in these text messages, in the book, in the other witnesses who heard him express that he was an addict. And so it seems like all the evidence points in one direction.”
FIGHTS AND SCANDALS
Last summer, Hunter Biden appeared to have reached a plea deal with prosecutors to resolve tax and weapons charges against him and avoid prison time, the BBC reports.
But the deal fell apart in court, and the prosecutor overseeing the federal investigation into Hunter’s alleged crimes ended up prosecuting him on gun charges.
In December, a second indictment accused the younger Biden of failing to pay at least $1.4 million (£1.1 million) in federal taxes owed in the 2016-19 tax years.
Congressional Republicans have held impeachment hearings against President Biden to investigate alleged influence peddling by his son. Both Bidens have denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, the 54-year-old’s personal problems, ranging from alcohol and drug abuse to relationship conflicts, have become widely known.
What is Hunter Biden accused of?
HUNTER Biden was accused of three crimes arising from the purchase, when he was, according to his memories, addicted to crack.
He was accused of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer by making a false statement on the application that he was not a drug user and had possessed the gun illegally for 11 days.
Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
Will Trachman, general counsel at the Mountain States Legal Foundation, says it’s difficult to say whether Biden could be convicted.
The trial takes place in Delaware, where the Biden name “has come a long way,” Trachman said.
Because of this, he believes many jurors may be willing to cut him some slack, however, given the evidence presented in the case thus far, the trial could go either way.
Judge Maryellen Noreika is known for being impartial, Trachman said. Therefore, if Biden is convicted, given his age and status as a first-time offender, Trachman believes he will receive a light sentence.
However, due to the seriousness of the alleged crimes, Trachman also believes Biden could serve prison time.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
