Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden, was found guilty of three felony counts by a jury in Wilmington, Del., on Tuesday for lying on a federal firearms application. This verdict comes as a significant blow to the Biden family during a crucial time in the presidential election campaign.
The trial, which lasted seven days, brought to light Mr. Biden’s struggles with crack addiction, reckless behavior, and extravagant spending. The prosecution was supported by testimonies from three of his former romantic partners, including the widow of his brother, Beau Biden, and revelations from Mr. Biden’s own memoir.
The charges against Mr. Biden stemmed from the purchase of a Colt pistol in October 2018. He was also found guilty of illegal possession of a weapon after falsely claiming to be drug-free on the mandatory background check for firearms transactions.
At 54 years old, Mr. Biden faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison, although federal sentencing guidelines suggest a lighter penalty for first-time offenders who did not use their weapons in violent crimes. Prosecutors indicated that they would not seek a harsher sentence than usual for such a case.
Following the reading of the verdict, Hunter Biden stood with his arms crossed, observing the jury solemnly. After the trial concluded, he embraced and kissed his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden.
In a statement released shortly after the verdict, Mr. Biden expressed gratitude for the support and love he received during the trial from his wife, family, friends, and community, overshadowing his disappointment with the outcome.
His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, hinted at a possible appeal, affirming their commitment to exhaust all legal avenues available to Hunter.
The political implications of the verdict remain uncertain. While former President Donald J. Trump seized on the conviction, some Republicans, including Representative Matt Gaetz, questioned the trial’s validity. However, for Mr. Biden, the guilty verdict marks a personal catastrophe.
A year earlier, Mr. Biden had reached a plea agreement with the government to enroll in a counseling program for nonviolent firearms offenses instead of facing prosecution or imprisonment. However, the deal fell through due to scrutiny from the presiding judge. He is set to face another trial in September related to his failure to pay income taxes during a period of substance abuse and excessive spending.
The trial in Delaware, led by special counsel David C. Weiss, is considered less severe than the other federal indictments against Mr. Biden from the previous year. Nonetheless, the guilty verdict raises the stakes for potential sentencing in the upcoming trial.
Mr. Weiss, accompanied by prosecutors Leo J. Wise and Derek Hines, reiterated that the case was pursued because no one is exempt from the law. He acknowledged the challenges of addiction but emphasized the dangerous nature of Mr. Biden’s actions in purchasing a firearm.
Many Republicans have taken pleasure in Mr. Biden’s prosecution, drawing comparisons to the legal issues faced by former President Trump. However, the circumstances surrounding each individual’s cases are vastly different, with Mr. Trump facing multiple indictments and convictions.
President Biden has stated that he will not pardon his son and maintained a distance from the trial proceedings. He rearranged his schedule post-verdict to visit Hunter in Wilmington before departing for the Group of 7 summit in Italy.
“I am the president, but I am also a dad,” President Biden remarked. “I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect 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.”
Jurors deliberated for just over three hours before reaching their verdict, surprising many with their swift decision. First Lady Jill Biden rushed to the courthouse upon hearing the news but missed the reading of the verdict due to a delay at the security checkpoint. She later emerged from the courthouse hand-in-hand with Hunter.
Hunter’s uncle and close confidant, James Biden, was determined to attend the trial, maneuvering through the security line to ensure his presence at the proceedings.
Hunter Biden remained optimistic as the jury deliberated on Monday, with his legal team hopeful that the panel, which included individuals with personal experiences of drug-related challenges, would show empathy.
Ultimately, the prosecution’s case was compelling, with testimonies from key witnesses and incriminating text messages. Mr. Lowell, Hunter Biden’s lawyer, delivered a closing argument discrediting the credibility of the government’s witnesses and portraying the trial as an unjust punishment for a remorseful and sober individual grappling with addiction.
Despite efforts by some in Congress to link President Biden to his son’s legal issues, no substantial evidence has been found to support these claims after extensive investigations. House Republicans recently made criminal referrals against Hunter and James Biden, alleging false statements to Congress during the impeachment inquiry against the president.
Hunter Biden’s involvement with Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company, and his subsequent financial dealings have come under scrutiny. Prosecutors have accused him of using the money earned from these ventures for illicit activities instead of fulfilling his tax obligations.
In this latest case, Mr. Biden was convicted of three felonies related to firearms violations. Prosecutions for lying to a dealer are relatively uncommon, with background checks for gun purchases averaging millions annually.
The sentencing for Mr. Biden will be determined by Judge Maryellen Noreika within four months, considering the unique circumstances of his case. While sentencing guidelines suggest prison time, judges have the discretion to deviate from these recommendations based on individual case factors.
According to the United States Sentencing Commission’s guidelines, Mr. Biden could face 15 to 21 months in prison for his offenses related to firearms. Data from the Commission shows that the majority of defendants in similar cases receive prison sentences, with some exceptions receiving probation or fines.
While the sentencing process will unfold in the coming months, the guilty verdict has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on Hunter Biden and the Biden family.
