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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Hallie Biden takes the stand
Hallie Biden, Hunter Biden's former romantic partner who is the widow of his brother Beau Biden, has taken the stand as the prosecution's next witness.
Prosecutors have said they expect her to testify about Hunter Biden's drug at the time of his gun purchase in October 2018.
Before gun store clerk Gordon Cleveland stepped off the stand, he testified that Hunter Biden did not exhibit any symptoms of drug or alcohol abuse when he purchased the gun at the center of the case.
When asked by defense attorney Abbe Lowell if Hunter Biden exhibited any symptoms at the time of his gun purchase, such as being "glassy eyed" or smelling of alcohol, Cleveland replied, "None at all."
Defense presses clerk over wording on form
Cross-examining gun store clerk Gordon Cleveland, defense attorney Abbe Lowell asked about the framing of the various questions on the gun form that Hunter Biden is accused of lying on -- including the difference between "have you" and "are you."
The form, for example, asks the applicant if they "have ever" been convicted -- but asks "are you" an unlawful user of drugs.
The defense team has used this to argue that Hunter Biden could have reasonably believed he was not violating any laws when he checked "No" on the drug-use box, because they say he was not currently using drugs.
"It does not say, 'Have you ever,"' Lowell said.
In court today, Hunter Biden has been attentive and focused, watching as attorneys clashed earlier over evidence. He gripped his pen as prosecutor Leo Wise asked the judge to keep out texts that his team wishes to use when they cross-examination Hallie Biden.
Special counsel David Weiss, who brought the case, has been seated in the front row behind his prosecution team, periodically nodding along as they make their arguments.
Gun store clerk back on the stand
Gordon Cleveland, the gun store clerk who sold Hunter Biden the firearm at the center of the case, returned to the stand.
Cleveland was being cross-examined by the defense after testifying for the prosecution yesterday.
Hallie Biden, Hunter Biden's former romantic partner who is the widow of his brother Beau Biden, is expected to be the next witness following Cleveland.
Proceedings begin with sidebar
Court resumed this morning with a sidebar conference.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys were arguing before the judge about an exhibit the defense wants to introduce when Hallie Biden, Hunter Biden's former romantic partner, takes the stand as expected later today.
Separately, defense attorney Abbe Lowell signaled his intention to file a motion to have the case thrown out after the government rests.
The long-shot bid will be filed on grounds of constitutional shortcomings and insufficient evidence, Lowell said.
Lowell also said his witnesses -- which could include President Joe Biden's brother James Biden and Hunter Biden's daughter Naomi Biden -- may not be available until Friday morning.