Hunter Biden was found guilty on all charges Tuesday relating to his purchase of a Colt Cobra revolver in 2018 after lying on a federal form about his drug usage, making him the first president’s son to be convicted of a felony.
Biden was convicted guilty of three felony counts connected to his gun purchase and possession, which prosecutors said occurred while he was using crack cocaine. The defense claimed the prosecution’s case was riddled with inferences and guesswork.
The government stated that the case was about the rule of law and Hunter Biden’s decision to buy a handgun while using crack cocaine.
In a statement to reporters, special counsel David Weiss stated that the case “was about the illegal choices the defendant made while in the throes of addiction, his choice to lie on a government form when he bought a gun and then possess that gun.”
“It was these choices and the combination of guns and drugs that made his conduct dangerous,” Weiss stated. The special counsel was not present for the verdict.
After almost three hours of deliberation, 12 Delawareans reached a unanimous conclusion on the accusations. Biden had left the courthouse on Tuesday morning and returned shortly after the verdict was announced.
Here’s everything you missed during Day 7 of Hunter Biden’s trial:
Biden was Found Guilty
Biden entered the courtroom and took a seat at the defense table with his lawyer. Behind him sat Biden’s wife, Melissa Cohen-Biden, his close friend Kevin Morris, as well as friends and family members who have been at his side in court since the trial began more than a week ago.
The defendant intently observed the jury as they took their places. Before the foreman began reading the verdict, one person took a brief glimpse toward the defense table.
Biden nodded slightly when the final guilty charge was read. He patted Lowell’s shoulder. Cohen-Biden clinched her jaw while looking straight ahead.
Valerie Biden-Owens, wearing dark glasses, rushed into the courtroom, down the center aisle, and squeezed into a small space near Cohen-Biden in the front row.
As Biden stepped away from the defense table, he hugged his wife. He showed no emotion as he left the courtroom. Morris walked out, looking straight ahead.
Assistant special counsel Derek Hines smiled as he declined to comment on the verdict for NBC News.
The First Lady Arrives
As Biden, Cohen-Biden, and his close pals convened in the defense room, First Lady Jill Biden walked past court officers gathered in the hallway to join her son. A few minutes later, her close aide, Anthony Bernal, positioned himself outside the room. The door immediately opened, and Hunter Biden emerged, leading the party to the elevator, softly patting each person on the shoulder as they entered. He squeezed in behind them.
The first lady was not in court when the verdict was read.
Prosecutors’ Next Target
Biden is scheduled to stand trial again later this year in a felony tax case in Los Angeles, where prosecutors believe he conspired to evade paying at least $1.4 million in income taxes over three years. Biden has pled not guilty. The trial could reveal new information about Biden’s business dealings, which Republicans have linked to his father.
As Weiss told reporters in Delaware on Tuesday, “No one is above the law.” He concluded his remarks by thanking Attorney General Merrick Garland “for providing the support necessary to fulfill our mission, ensuring that we have the independence to appropriately pursue our investigations and prosecutions.”
Weiss and his team of prosecutors are scheduled to go to trial against Biden in early September after the judge supervising the case agreed to push the start date back from June 20.
Shortly after noon, the Democratic political party Forward Blue sent a text message to supporters asking, “Please confirm you’re voting for Joseph Robinette Biden?”
Source: aol.com