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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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."


3 counts are for gun possession, false statements

The three felony counts on which Hunter Biden was convicted -- all related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018 while allegedly addicted to drugs -- are as follows:

Count 1: False statement in purchase of a firearm.

Count 2: False statement related to information required to be kept by federal firearms licensed dealer.

Count 3: Possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.


'Jill and I will always be there for Hunter,' President Biden says

President Joe Biden said in a statement after the verdict, "As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today."

"So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery," he said.

"As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal," the president said. "Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that."


Prosecutors argue that cash withdrawals were for drugs

On redirect examination of FBI Special Agent Erika Jensen, prosecutor David Hines heavily pushed back on the defense's suggestion that no text messages showed Hunter Biden buying drugs during the time he purchased a gun, and their contention that his large cash withdrawals could have been for other purposes.

Hines returned to the key text message Hunter sent while he owned the gun, telling his then-partner Hallie Biden that he was "sleeping on a car" smoking crack.

"You understand what that means, right?" Hines asked the FBI agent.

"Yes," she responded.

"Crack is crack," Hines said.

Hines then returned the issue of Hunter Biden's large cash withdrawals -- over $150,000 in three months -- pushing back on the suggestion from the defense that he used the cash to pay for other things, such as Airbnb rentals.

Hines displayed bank records that showed Hunter paid for Airbnb rentals with a Visa check card.

Hines also pointed out that when Hunter Biden bought alcohol, he did so with a credit card instead of cash -- making the point that drug dealers generally favor cash transactions.