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's daughter, uncle are in court
As Hunter Biden's defense case gets underway, two more members of the Biden family have entered the courthouse: Naomi Biden and James Biden.
Naomi Biden is the daughter of Hunter Biden and granddaughter of President Joe Biden.
James Biden is Hunter Biden's uncle and President Biden's brother, who Hunter's attorney told the jury during opening statements paid for some of Hunter Biden's rehab and lived with him briefly afterward.
Defense attorney Abbe Lowell previously suggested both James Biden and and Naomi Biden could take the stand for the defense.
Defense makes longshot motion for acquittal
After jurors left the courtroom for a break, defense attorney Abbe Lowell moved for an acquittal for by orally submitting a Rule 29 motion, citing constitutional challenges and an insufficiency of evidence.
Judge Maryellen Noreika indicated her skepticism at the longshot bid with a chortle as Lowell described the legal underpinnings of his motion.
"You're laughing," Lowell said, before joking that her "smile" suggested she was "likely skeptical."
Both Lowell and the judge agreed that one of his claims in particular was an "interesting concept."
Lowell then told the court that the first two witnesses he plans to call for the defense are Ronald Palimere, the owner of the gun shop where Hunter Biden purchased the Colt revolver at the center of the case, and Jason Turner, an employee of the store.
Government rests its case
Prosecutors have rested their case against President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden.
The defense is scheduled to present its case next.
Defense attorneys have said they could possibly wrap up their case by Monday, in which case jurors could begin deliberations as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday.
DEA agent testifies about drug references in texts
DEA special agent Joshua Romig took the stand to testify as an expert in the "coded language" used in drug trafficking.
He analyzed the language used in some of Hunter Biden's text messages, some of which appeared to be drug transactions.
First lady Jill Biden, back in the courtroom this morning, looked on as Romig testified.
Special counsel David Weiss, who brought the case against Hunter Biden, is also in court today.
Hallie Biden expected to testify as government looks to rest case
The gun store clerk who sold Hunter Biden the handgun at the center of the government's case returns to the witness stand this morning on Day 4 of the trial as prosecutors look to wrap up their case against the president's son.
Prosecutors said at the end of Wednesday's proceedings that they plan to call six more witnesses -- including Hallie Biden, perhaps their most crucial witness -- before resting their case, which could happen as soon as this afternoon.
Defense counsel have leaned into their claim that Hunter Biden was not actively abusing drugs in October of 2018, the month of his gun purchase, and therefore did not knowingly lie on the federal firearm application form.
Zoe Kestan, one of Hunter Biden's ex-girlfriends, testified Wednesday that she witnessed him smoking crack the month before and the month after his gun purchase, but had "no idea" what he was doing in October.
To fill that gap, prosecutors plan to call Hallie Biden, his brother's widow with whom Hunter Biden was romantically involved.
"The evidence will show that during those 11 days, the defendant continued to use drugs and to talk about his drug use with Hallie," prosecutor Derek Hines said.