The federal court in the U.S. v. Hunter Biden criminal case awaits a verdict after jury deliberations began following closing arguments related to Biden’s 2018 gun purchase. The charges he faces are making false statements on a gun purchase form and possession of a gun while being an unlawful user of controlled substances. The prosecution team argued that the evidence presented shows Hunter Biden was a drug addict at the time of the purchase. Testimony from family members, expert witnesses, and excerpts from Biden’s memoir were used to support the case.
The closing arguments from the prosecutor highlighted that nobody is above the law, emphasizing that the evidence presented during the trial was necessary and overwhelming. The prosecution team aimed to prove that Hunter Biden knowingly lied on the gun purchase form by not disclosing his addiction to drugs. References to Biden’s drug use, including interactions with drug dealers and text messages indicating drug use, were also used to support the case. The defense, on the other hand, argued that prosecutors failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Biden knowingly lied about his addiction and drug use.
The defense team pointed out that Hunter Biden has a history of substance abuse but had taken steps to address his addiction, such as seeking rehab treatment and hiring a sober coach. They argued that, at the time of the gun purchase, Biden did not believe he was an active addict and, therefore, did not intentionally lie on the form. The defense focused on the specific wording of the question on the form, emphasizing the difference between past and present drug use. They claimed that prosecutors relied on conjecture and failed to present definitive evidence of drug use around the time of the purchase.
Hunter Biden did not testify in the case, and his family members, including first lady Jill Biden, were present in court to support him. The prosecution urged the jury to focus on whether Biden was an addict at the time of the gun purchase and if he knew he was an addict when filling out the form. The possibility of a conviction carries a maximum prison sentence of 25 years, along with fines and supervised release. The verdict is expected to be reached soon, with the jury tasked with determining whether Biden knowingly lied about his drug use when purchasing the gun in 2018.
Overall, the trial has focused on Hunter Biden’s history of drug addiction and whether he intentionally misled on a federal gun purchase form. Testimony and evidence from various witnesses, including family members and experts, as well as excerpts from Biden’s memoir, were used to make the case on both sides. The verdict in this high-profile case will have significant consequences for Biden, with potential prison time and fines if convicted. As the jury deliberates, the prosecution and defense teams await the outcome to determine the next steps in this closely watched trial.
