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.
Prosecutors present angry text messages about gun
Testifying for the prosecution, FBI Special Agent Erika Jensen presented evidence involving a 2018 text message exchange between Hunter Biden and Hallie Biden, his brother Beau's widow who was Hunter Biden's romantic partner at the time.
An angry Hunter Biden texted Hallie Biden on the day she discovered his gun.
"Did you take that from me? ... You're being totally irresponsible and unhinged," the text said.
"I just want you to be safe. That was not safe," she replied, referring to his handling of the gun.
Hunter Biden's attorney Abbe Lowell objected to Jensen's testimony regarding the text messages -- which had been obtained by a court-issued subpoena -- arguing that Hallie Biden would be questioned when the government calls her as a witness.
Prosecutors concluded their questioning of Jensen, after which the defense began its cross-examination.