Joe Biden’s son has been found guilty of illegally buying a gun after hiding his drug use.
Hunter Biden, 54, was convicted of three firearm charges in the first criminal prosecution of a sitting US president’s offspring.
Prosecutors had said he lied on a form when buying a Colt Cobra revolver in October 2018 by stating he was not a drug user or addict, despite a problem with crack cocaine.
Hunter Biden latest as president’s son is found guilty
Mr Biden pleaded not guilty to felony charges that included lying about his addiction when he filled out a government screening document for the revolver and illegally possessing the weapon for 11 days.
First Lady Jill Biden was in the courtroom shortly after the verdicts – which came after the jury deliberated for about three hours – and was seen holding her stepson’s hand as they left.
In a statement following the verdicts, Joe Biden said he accepts the outcome of the case, as his son considers making an appeal – while Donald Trump described the trial as a “distraction” from the Bidens’ “real crimes”.
Image:
Hunter Biden leaving with Jill Biden. Pic: Reuters
The trial included testimony from Hunter Biden’s ex-wife and sister-in-law, who gave accounts of his spiralling addiction in the weeks before and after buying the gun.
Prosecutors also showed text messages, photos and bank records they said showed Mr Biden was deep in the throes of addiction when he bought the gun.
Conviction is body blow to US president that will supercharge Trump rhetoric
It is another moment without precedent for America. The son of a sitting president has been convicted on three felony counts in a federal court.
Beyond the seriousness of the crime itself, the trial has lifted a lid on the layered struggles and tragedies of one family. It could be any number of American families – except it is the nation’s first family.
At its heart, it is a story of addiction, loss and grief which led to a criminal conviction. But because it’s about the Bidens, it is also, inevitably, a story of politics and scandal.
The first family’s private turmoil has played out in a public courtroom because one member of the family lied to obtain a gun.
It is a case that almost never came to trial. A plea bargain had been arranged – Hunter Biden would plead guilty to the tax fraud and the gun charges would be dropped.
But the plan fell apart.
Just as Donald Trump had been told he wasn’t above the law, so too was Joe Biden’s son. A trial began and history was made when the sitting president’s son entered the courtroom.
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Hunter Biden’s lawyers sought to show he was not using drugs when he bought the gun and didn’t intend to deceive as he didn’t consider himself a drug user at the time.
The defence called Hunter Biden’s daughter, Naomi Biden, who testified her father seemed to be doing well when she saw him shortly before and after he bought the gun.
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Hunter Biden found guilty in federal gun trial
Mr Biden did not testify at the trial, which was held in the Bidens’ hometown of Wilmington in Delaware.
The sentencing guidelines for the gun-related charges are 15 to 21 months, but legal experts say defendants in similar cases often get shorter sentences.
They are also less likely to see jailtime if they abide by the terms of pretrial release.
The judge set no date for sentencing, but added the timeline is usually within 120 days – which could place it a month before the US presidential election on 5 November.
Hunter Biden’s lawyer said they are “naturally disappointed” and will “continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available”.
Read more:Hunter Biden conviction is latest twist in family story
Image:
Hunter Biden arriving at court with his wife Melissa Cohen Biden. Pic : Reuters
The case followed another historic first after last month’s criminal conviction of Mr Trump, the first former US president to be found guilty of a crime.
Democrats have pointed to this case as eence Joe Biden is not using the justice system for political ends, having said last week he would not pardon his son if convicted.
But in a statement Mr Trump said: “Crooked Joe Biden’s reign over the Biden Criminal Empire is all coming to an end on 5 November, and never again will a Biden sell government access for personal profit.”
The president said he is “also a dad” and is “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,” he added.
“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.”
