Overpowering proof implicates Hunter Biden.
In a purchased weapons deal in 2018, there is an allegation that Hunter Biden hid his drug issue. A court case regarding this matter is approaching its conclusion. There's clear evidence implying that Hunter Biden struggled with crack addiction, as claimed by the prosecutors. It's not just about him alone.
The trial of Hunter Biden, son of the current US President Joe Biden, for suspected violations of firearm laws is about to witness a verdict. The jurors stepped out of Wilmington in the American state for the initial deliberations on Monday (3 pm local time). The proceedings will continue on Tuesday (3 pm Central European Summer Time). Hunter Biden is charged with providing false statements during October 2018's gun purchase and concealing his drug addiction during that time.
This situation is a political liability for Joe Biden. If his son is convicted, Democrats may reel under further pressure during the election campaigns. Hunter Biden risks up to 25 years in prison if found guilty. However, how far the presiding judge will go in the case is not clear, as Biden has no prior conviction. The exact timing of the verdict is unclear too. The 12 jurors' deliberations may take several days. The decision must be unanimous. If the jury fails to reach a consensus, the entire case might collapse.
The defense urged the jury to acquit the 54-year-old, who claimed his innocence during the finale of the trial, as per US media. In contrast, the prosecutor, as mentioned in "Washington Post", emphasized that the evidence against Hunter Biden was "overwhelming". The prosecutor, Derek Hines, said," If these docs didn’t show that Biden was on crack in 2018 when he bought the gun, “then no one is on crack”."
The Messy Side of Hunter's Life
During the trial, various skeletons were uncovered. Alongside Hunter Biden's daughter Naomi, his previous partners also testified, illustrating different aspects of his life, including his drug addiction, which he confessed to in his autobiography. However, he maintains that he wasn't drug-dependent during the gun purchase.
The son of the US President has been in the limelight for reasons other than his drug issues and alcoholism - including questionable business deals and legal conflicts with a former stripper over child support for an extra-marital child. Recently, he was also charged in California for allegedly not paying federal taxes properly for several years.
In the gun trial in Wilmington, President Biden himself decided against the court appearance. Besides, multiple family members expressed their support, including First Lady Jill Biden, Hunter's stepmother. She even interrupted their joint trip to France with President Biden and flew thousands of kilometers across the Atlantic to appear in court in person. It's as uncommon for a first lady to appear in a courtroom for days as it is for the trial of the president's son.
A Political Liability in the Campaign
Joe Biden plans to run for a second term in the November presidential elections. His son's legal and other issues offer a political line of attack. Last week, Joe Biden publicly stated he wouldn't pardon his son if found guilty. This proclamation shows a stark contrast to his predecessor Donald Trump's behavior.
The Republican presidential candidate has hinted at the possibility of reversing court decisions upon his expected win. However, he can't do so in New York, where he's already been declared guilty of illegal campaign financing, because the case is not on a federal level. The verdict in his case is still undecided. Trump is also facing more accusations - for attempted electoral fraud and the transportation of classified government documents. The hearings in these cases haven't started yet.
Read also:
- Despite the ongoing trial, President Joe Biden's stance on pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, remains firm, contrasting former President Donald Trump's approach in similar situations.
- The Gun Control Advocacy Group in the USA is urging policymakers to revisit the Gun Law in the USA in light of Hunter Biden's case, as his alleged concealment of drug addiction during a gun purchase raises concerns.
- In the wake of Hunter Biden's gun trial and his alleged drug use, public discussions have resurfaced about the role of drugs in American society and the need for comprehensive drug policies in the USA.
