Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, was convicted by a jury for lying about his drug use to illegally purchase a firearm. This verdict may be used by Democrats to counter former President Donald Trump’s claims of a biased justice system.
A 12-member jury in Wilmington, Delaware, federal court found Hunter Biden guilty on all three counts. This makes him the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be convicted of a crime. Hunter Biden, 54, showed little reaction after the verdict was read, nodding slightly and then patting his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, on the back. He also hugged another member of his legal team.
The judge has not yet set a date for sentencing, but mentioned that it usually occurs within 120 days. This means sentencing could take place around a month before the U.S. presidential election on November 5th. Sentencing guidelines for the gun charges range from 15 to 21 months. However, legal experts note that defendants in similar cases often receive shorter sentences and are less likely to be incarcerated if they comply with the terms of their pretrial release.
Trump’s Troubles
This trial followed the May 30 criminal conviction of Donald Trump, the first former U.S. president to be found guilty of a felony.
Trump, the Republican challenger to Joe Biden in the upcoming election, was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal. He accuses Democrats of using the justice system against him to hinder his political comeback.
Congressional Democrats have highlighted cases like Hunter Biden’s prosecution to argue that President Biden is not exploiting the justice system for political gain. Last week, President Biden stated that he would not pardon his son if convicted.
The case against Hunter Biden was brought by U.S. Department of Justice Special Counsel David Weiss, a Trump appointee. Weiss has also charged Hunter Biden with three felony and six misdemeanour tax offenses in California.
Other Charges
These charges allege that Hunter Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019 while spending millions on drugs, escorts, exotic cars, and other luxury items. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to these charges, and a trial is scheduled for September 5 in Los Angeles.
During the Delaware trial, prosecutors presented testimony from Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, former girlfriend, and sister-in-law. They provided firsthand accounts of his severe addiction around the time he purchased the gun in October 2018. Prosecutors also presented text messages, photos, and bank records to show that Biden was deeply addicted and knowingly lied on a government screening form by denying his drug use.
Hunter Biden’s defense argued that he was not using drugs when he bought the gun and did not intend to deceive, as he did not consider himself a drug user at the time. The defense also called Hunter Biden’s daughter, Naomi Biden, who testified that her father seemed to be doing well when she saw him shortly before and after the gun purchase.
With Inputs from Reuters
