Hunter Biden Convicted In Federal Gun Trial, President Joe Reacts
A Delaware jury has convicted Hunter Biden of 3 felony charges connected to a 2018 revolver buy. Prosecutors argued that President Joe Biden’s son lied on a mandatory gun-buy type. At the time, he allegedly claimed he was not illegally applying or addicted to drugs, per the Associated Press.
Connected: Video Of Hunter Biden Weighing Crack Cocaine Surfaces Online After Alleged iCloud Hack
Details On Hunter Biden’s Trial, Conviction And Post-Verdict Reaction
AP reports that Hunter “stared straight ahead and showed little emotion” as the jury study his “guilty” verdicts. Jurors spent two days deliberating on the charges for a combined time of 3 hours.
Jurors discovered Hunter Biden guilty of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, creating a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user, and illegally obtaining the gun for 11 days.
U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika has but to set a sentencing date. However, Biden faces up to 25 years in prison for the charges. Because he’s a 1st-time offender, it is attainable he will not get the maximum sentence or any jail time at all.
In a written statement following the verdict, Hunter Biden mentioned he was disappointed by the outcome but grateful for the help of loved ones and buddies.
“Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time,” he mentioned.
AP notes that the 54-year-old has been sober considering that 2019. His lawyer mentioned they will “continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available.”
President Biden Reacts To His Son’s Conviction
Hunter’s stepmother, First Lady Jill Biden, arrived minutes right after the jury study the verdict, per AP. She attended “most of the trial.” She later left the courthouse hand-in-hand with Hunter even though his wife Melissa held his other hand. No 1 in the trio spoke to the press.
Meanwhile, President Biden was not in attendance at his son’s trial. On Monday (June 10) evening, he and Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a star-studded Juneteenth concert at the White House. Hunter is the president’s only living son from his former marriage to the late Neilia.
After the jury’s selection was announced, President Joe Biden mentioned he would accept the outcome of the case — related to what he stated final week about his son’s trial outcome.
“As I said last week, I am the president, but I am also a dad, and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery,” President Biden stated right after the verdict. “As I also stated last week, I will accept the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.”
Last week, President Biden also claimed that he would not pardon Hunter if he have been to be convicted, per NBC News.
Ironically, Hunter’s verdict came shortly just before the president was scheduled to give a speech on his administration’s efforts to limit gun violence at Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund’s conference.
More Legal Troubles For Hunter
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles are not more than. He faces a trial in September in California on charges of failing to spend $1.4 million in taxes.
Congressional Republicans have signaled they will retain going right after him in their stalled impeachment work into the president. Prosecutors investigating his son have not accused or charged Joe with any wrongdoing.
Now Hunter Biden and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, the president’s chief political rival, have each been convicted by American jurors in an election year that has been as a lot about the courtroom as about campaign events and rallies.
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Associated Press employees RANDALL CHASE, CLAUDIA LAUER, MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, COLLEEN Extended, and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER contributed to this report.