Hunter Biden trial: 'Politics never came into play,' juror says after guilty verdict

Prosecutor Leo Wise began his closing argument by referencing the many Biden family members packed into the courtroom galley today.

"All of this is not evidence," Wise said to the jury as he gestured toward the gallery where First lady Jill Biden and other members of the Biden family are jammed into the front three rows.

"You may recognize them from the news, from the community," Wise told them. "None of that matters."

Wise then reiterated the government's opening remarks that no one is above the law, telling the jury that the case is no different from others -- regardless "of who the defendant is."

Hunter Biden came to court today with what appears to be the largest number of friends and family members yet to appear at his trial.

The first row of the gallery was so packed with members of the Biden family this morning that the security guard on the end nearly fell off. The entire first three rows and some of the fourth row were filled with friends and family members -- about 25 in total.

First Lady Jill Biden, her daughter Ashley Biden, and Hunter Biden's wife Melissa Cohen Biden sat together in the front row, with Ashley Biden at one point comforting the others by putting her arm around her mother and then patting Melissa Biden's back.

Through the morning's lengthy sidebars and delays, Hunter Biden repeatedly engaged with them, chatting with them and exchanging hugs when he could.

When the defense rested its case, he stood up and hugged his uncle James Biden in the front row and appeared to say, "Love you."

After another break, he returned to the courtroom holding the first lady's hand.

Family members returned to the courtroom after the lunch break for closing arguments.

Judge Maryellen Noreika, in her initial instructions to jurors, explained how they are to apply the law to the facts of the case for the three criminal counts Hunter Biden faces.

"You must not attach any significance to the fact that the defendant did not testify," she read aloud in the courtroom, after the defense decided not to call Hunter Biden to the stand.

The judge defined "knowingly," the central term by which jurors must determine if Hunter Biden bought the gun at the center of the case "knowing" he was an addict or user of drugs, after he stated on the gun-purchase form that he was not.

Closing arguments are scheduled to begin at 12:05 p.m. ET, after which the judge will give the jury her final instructions and their deliberations will begin.

Closing arguments will begin at about noon ET after Hunter Biden chose not to testify in his federal gun case.

The defense rested without him taking the stand, after which prosecutors presented a brief rebuttal case, then the judge gave the jury their initial instructions.