In a high-profile case, Hunter Biden, the eldest son of President Joe Biden, was found guilty on all three felony charges related to purchasing a handgun while using crack cocaine. The verdict came after a week-long trial in Wilmington, Delaware, the Biden family's hometown.
The jury reached its decision after three hours of deliberation spread over two days. The trial featured intense testimony from some of Biden’s closest relatives about his struggles with addiction. Notably, Hunter Biden did not testify in his own defense.
Following the verdict, President Joe Biden stated, "I will accept the outcome of this case and continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always support Hunter and our family with our love and support. Nothing will change that." The president has previously asserted that he would not pardon his son if convicted and has praised Hunter's resilience in overcoming addiction.
While no sentencing date has been set, Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years in prison, a severe penalty for a first-time offender. In his response to the verdict, Hunter Biden expressed gratitude for his family's support, stating, "Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time."
Hunter’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, expressed disappointment with the verdict but emphasized their respect for the legal process and their intention to pursue all available legal challenges.
The charges against Hunter Biden stemmed from false statements made while purchasing a Colt revolver in October 2018, where he falsely claimed he was not using drugs and then illegally possessed the firearm for 11 days. His sister-in-law, Hallie Biden, later disposed of the gun in a panic.
During the trial, messages retrieved from Hunter’s phone suggested he was using drugs around the time of the gun purchase, undermining his defense. Testimony from family members and former partners portrayed a picture of Hunter struggling with addiction, especially after the death of his brother, Beau.
The prosecution, led by Leo Wise, argued that the evidence of Hunter’s drug use during 2018 and 2019 was overwhelming, including explicit text messages and testimony about his drug purchases and usage.
Hunter Biden's stepmother, Jill Biden, was present at the trial daily, except for a brief absence to attend the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy with President Biden.
Despite the defense’s arguments, the jury found the evidence against Hunter Biden compelling, leading to a guilty verdict on all counts.
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