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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President Biden to go to Wilmington

President Joe Biden's schedule has been updated and he will now travel to Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday afternoon.

The president was originally scheduled to remain in Washington, D.C., but will instead head to Wilmington where he makes his home and where his son's trial just concluded.


Special counsel says Garland gave him independence to investigate

Special counsel David Weiss, whose office prosecuted Hunter Biden, said following the verdict that Hunter Biden should be held no more accountable than any other citizen regarding the charges.

Weiss said while much of the testimony in the case was about Hunter Biden's abuse of drugs and alcohol, "Ultimately this case was not just about addiction, a disease that haunts families across the United States including Hunter Biden's."

This case was about "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 the choice to possess that gun," he said.

It was also about "the rule of law," Weiss said. "No one in this country is above the law," he said.

Weiss, a Trump appointee, thanked Attorney General Merrick Garland for "ensuring that we have the independence to appropriately pursue our investigations and prosecutions."


Trial was 'waste of taxpayers' dollars,' juror tells ABC News

A member of the jury that found Hunter Biden guilty told ABC News after the verdict that the trial was a "waste of taxpayers' dollars."

"I just think he needs help. He needs rehab," the juror told ABC News regarding the defendant. "In my opinion, this is a waste of taxpayers' dollars. They should have fined him."

Asked what she thinks a fair sentence would be, the juror said, "I don't think that anyone who is a nonviolent drug addict should be in prison. Just fine him. We know he did something wrong. Just fine him. He needs help."

She said the jurors "worked together really well."

"Considering who his father is and the political climate in this country, it turned out better than I expected," she said. "There was no fighting in the jury room."

Judge Maryellen Noreika said before court ended that she would schedule a sentencing date in the next 120 days. Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years in prison, though legal experts believe he will not serve time as a first-time and nonviolent offender.

-ABC News' Mark Guarino


Hunter Biden says he's more grateful than disappointed

Hunter Biden said in a statement after the verdict that he's "more grateful today for the love and support I experienced this last week from Melissa, my family, my friends, and my community than I am disappointed by the outcome," referencing his wife Melissa Cohen Biden.

"Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time," he said.

Hunter Biden's attorney, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement, "We are naturally disappointed by today's verdict. We respect the jury process, and as we have done throughout this case, we will continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available to Hunter."


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.