Hallie Biden, Hunter Biden’s sister-in-law-turned-girlfriend, testified in Hunter’s criminal trial. She discussed their use of crack cocaine and the events surrounding the disappearance of Hunter’s gun. Hallie revealed that Hunter introduced her to crack cocaine in 2018, leading to a period of substance abuse that she now deeply regrets. She was the one who disposed of Hunter’s gun in a trash can, prompting police involvement and the indictment. Prosecutors are working to prove that Hunter lied on a federal firearm form when purchasing the gun.
Hunter Biden’s defense team acknowledges his addiction issues but argues that he did not consider himself a user of illegal substances at the time of the gun purchase. Hunter is facing charges for making a false statement related to the gun purchase, with a potential prison sentence of up to 25 years. Hallie Biden testified that finding crack cocaine at home led to her becoming sober by August 2018. She was joined in court by her new husband, who she married just days before testifying.
Hallie Biden detailed the events leading up to the disposal of Hunter’s gun, explaining that she found the gun in his truck along with drug paraphernalia. Panicked, she threw the gun in a trash can outside of a supermarket. Afterwards, she informed Hunter of her actions, leading to tension between them as he demanded its return. The court was presented with surveillance footage of her disposing of the gun. Hunter appeared in court, taking notes and interacting with his legal team.
Additional witnesses in the trial included the gun shop employee who sold Hunter the gun, law enforcement officers involved in the case, and an elderly man who discovered the discarded gun in the trash. The elderly man, Edward Banner, elicited laughter from the court for his humorous responses during testimony. Surveillance footage was shown of him retrieving the gun from the trash. Prosecutors and the defense questioned Banner, with assistance from the judge due to his hearing impairment.
The trial is expected to conclude soon, with both the prosecution and defense planning to call a few more witnesses. Prosecutors will call forensic chemist Jason Brewer and DEA Special Agent Joshua Romig, while the defense may call their own expert witnesses. Hunter Biden’s former girlfriend, ex-wife, and other key figures have already testified in court. It remains uncertain if Hunter will take the stand in his defense. First lady Jill Biden was not present in court, as she was attending the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France. The trial will resume on Friday and is anticipated to conclude by early next week.
