Hunter Biden gun trial: 'Politics never came into play,' juror says after guilty verdict
The president's son was convicted of unlawfully purchasing a firearm.
President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden has been found guilty on three felony counts related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018 while allegedly addicted to drugs.
The younger Biden, who pleaded not guilty last October after being indicted by special counsel David Weiss, denied the charges. The son of a sitting president had never before faced a criminal trial.
The trial came on the heels of former President Donald Trump's conviction on felony charges related to a hush money payment made to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
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Hunter Biden unlikely to serve time, expert says
Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years in prison, though legal experts believe he would not serve time as a first-time and nonviolent offender.
ABC News chief legal affairs anchor Dan Abrams said that while it's unlikely he will serve time, "the judge will have a lot of discretion."
"This is technically a very serious crime with a very serious potential sentence," Abrams said.
President Joe Biden told ABC News last week that he would not pardon his son. But the president also has the option to commute the sentence, Abrams noted.
In September 2023, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre ruled out a commutation of any sentence.
President Biden said he wouldn't pardon son
President Joe Biden said he would not pardon his son Hunter Biden during an exclusive interview with ABC News anchor David Muir last week.
Muir asked President Biden on Thursday if he would accept the outcome of his son's trial, to which the president said, "Yes."
The president also said "yes" when asked by Muir if he would rule out a pardon for Hunter Biden.
No sentencing date set
Hunter Biden sat expressionless as a court officer read the jury’s verdict form aloud to the court. After the third "guilty" rang over the courtroom speakers, he turned and hugged a member of his legal team and remained seated until jurors stood to leave.
Prosecutors Leo Wise and Derek Hines sat equally motionless throughout the short proceeding.
After Judge Maryellen Noreika excused jurors, she said she would get back in touch with the parties to schedule a sentencing date in the next 120 days. Biden could face up to 25 years in prison, though legal experts believe he would not serve time as a first-time and nonviolent offender.
Hunter Biden found guilty on all 3 counts
President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden has been found guilty on all three counts in his federal gun case.
He stands convicted of two counts related to false statements in purchasing the firearm at the center of the case, for saying on a federal gun-purchase form that he was not addicted to drugs at the time of the purchase, and a third count of illegally obtaining a firearm while addicted to drugs.
Clerk says Hunter Biden showed no confusion over drug question
Gun store clerk Gordon Cleveland testified that he watched from "about two feet" away as Hunter Biden, in the course of purchasing a handgun in 2018, filled out Form 4473 and checked the box asking applicants whether they were active drug users.
After Hunter Biden selected the Colt Cobra for purchase, Cleveland said he asked him to fill out Form 4473, which he told him was required for "every gun purchase." Cleveland testified that he instructed Hunter Biden to write in his personal information and answer the questions below, "and to take your time answering them," he said.
Cleveland testified that he watched as Hunter Biden answered several questions on the form before he approached question 11.E., which asked about drug use.
"You saw him strike that box with an 'X'?" prosecutor Derek Hines asked.
"Yes," Cleveland said.
"He didn't seem to express any confusion by that question?" Hines asked.
"No," Cleveland said.