First Son Hunter Biden Convicted In Gun Trial
In the first time a sitting U.S. president’s child was put on trial or convicted, President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, was found guilty on all charges in his gun-related criminal case. At the crux of the case is a lie Hunter told on a federal firearm form that asked whether he was addicted to drugs in 2018.
Hunter had ticked the box that said, “No” in the ATF Form 4473 when asked if he is an unlawful user of a firearm or an abuser of controlled substances.
The prosecution charged Hunter of making a false statement while purchasing a gun, making a false statement regarding information meant to be kept by a federally licensed gun dealer as well as the possession of a gun by an unlawful user of controlled substances.
While Hunter has a well-documented history of drug abuse, as evidenced in his 2021 memoir, “Beautiful Things,” he pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
His defense team, led by attorney Abbe Lowell, argued that Hunter did not consider himself an active drug addict on the day he bought the Cobra Colt .38 at a store called StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply in Wilmington.
Even though the prosecution maintained that Hunter’s addiction to crack cocaine occurred both before, during and after the purchase of the handgun, the defense pointed to Hunter’s time in rehab before the firearm purchase in 2018.
Prosecution presented evidence that Hunter texted Hallie Biden, Beau Biden’s widow who he began a relationship with in 2015, a day after his gun purchase that he was “waiting for a dealer named Mookie.” A day after sending that text, he sent another, saying that he was “sleeping on a car smoking crack on 4th Street and Rodney” in Wilmington, Delaware.
Following the jury’s return of a guilty verdict, Hunter said that he was disappointed by the outcome of the trial. However, he emphasized that he feels more gratitude for the support from his family than disappointment.
I am more grateful today for the love and support I experienced this last week from Melissa, my family, my friends, and my community than I am disappointed by the outcome,” he stated, adding, “Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time.”
Attorney Lowell also expressed disappointment in a statement, saying, “We are naturally disappointed by today’s verdict. We respect the jury process, and as we have done throughout this case, we will continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available to Hunter.”
With his sentencing likely in three to four months, the first son faces up to 25 years in prison.