Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, was convicted on all three counts at his criminal gun trial in Delaware federal court on Tuesday. The jury found Hunter Biden guilty of making false statements in connection with the purchase of a firearm, lying in a firearms transaction, and possessing a firearm while being a drug user or addict.
The charges relate to his purchase of a handgun while he was actively using illegal drugs. The conviction marks a significant moment as it is the first time a sitting president's immediate family member has been found guilty of a crime during their father's term in office, although the crimes occurred before Joe Biden's presidency.
Hunter Biden, 54, displayed little emotion as the verdicts were read, nodding slightly while looking straight ahead. The courtroom atmosphere was tense, with several family members, including First Lady Jill Biden and Hunter's wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, present.
The verdict was reached after about three hours of jury deliberations, which began on Monday afternoon following closing arguments from prosecutors and defense lawyer Abbe Lowell. Judge Maryellen Noreika presided over the trial and will set a sentencing date later. Hunter Biden faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 10 years on two of the felony counts and up to five years on the third count.
Prosecutors declined to comment on the verdict, while Hunter Biden is expected to issue a written statement. The conviction concludes a painful chapter for the Biden family, who have been visibly supportive throughout the trial. Hunter Biden's friend and financial backer, Kevin Morris, and other supporters appeared stunned by the outcome.
President Joe Biden has ruled out the possibility of pardoning his son, a stance reiterated multiple times by the White House. The conviction also comes as Hunter Biden faces a separate federal trial in Los Angeles on charges of failing to pay taxes on more than $1.4 million in income over several years, with that trial set for September, just two months before the presidential election.
The trial shed light on Hunter Biden's struggles with alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction, described in his memoir as a period of "complete and utter debauchery." Prosecutors presented testimonies from three of Hunter Biden's ex-partners, including Hallie Biden, the widow of his brother Beau Biden, who detailed his dependency on crack cocaine and its impact on his personal life.
Defense attorney Abbe Lowell argued that Hunter Biden did not view himself as a drug user or addict at the time of the gun purchase, urging the jury to acquit on these grounds. However, the jury was convinced by the prosecution's case, leading to the unanimous guilty verdict.
The trial's outcome is a significant validation for special counsel David Weiss and his team of prosecutors. Weiss, previously the Trump-appointed US attorney in Delaware, has overseen the long-running investigation into Hunter Biden, which began in 2018. The guilty verdicts in the gun case bolster the credibility of the Justice Department's work amid accusations from Hunter Biden's defense team that the cases are politically motivated.
