The federal gun trial of Hunter Biden has officially begun, with the jury being seated and opening statements set to take place. The prosecution’s first witness, FBI Special Agent Erika Jensen, is expected to testify and present evidence, including text messages and excerpts from Hunter Biden’s memoir. The trial is taking place in Wilmington, Delaware, and U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika is presiding over the case.
The prosecution plans to call several witnesses, including Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, a former romantic partner, and his brother Beau Biden’s widow. The charges against Hunter Biden stem from his alleged illegal purchase and possession of a firearm in 2018 while he was a drug user. He has pleaded not guilty to the three felony charges he is facing. Twelve jurors and four alternates were sworn in on the first day of the trial, with many potential jurors expressing connections to drug or alcohol abuse.
Before the trial began, Hunter Biden faced setbacks as the judge declined to admit certain evidence and granted a motion to exclude one of the defense’s expert witnesses. The charges against Hunter Biden involve making false statements on a federal gun form about his drug use and possession of a firearm while addicted to crack cocaine. Prosecutors are expected to present evidence of his drug use leading up to and during the period he purchased the firearm.
If convicted on all counts, Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines. In addition to the gun charges, he also faces nine federal tax charges in a separate indictment. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to the tax charges, which are not admissible in the gun trial. His defense team argues that the charges are unconstitutional and unprecedented, and they are expected to call their own expert witnesses to testify on addiction and forensic psychiatry.
Overall, the trial of Hunter Biden is a high-profile case that has garnered significant media attention. The outcome of the trial will have implications for both Hunter Biden and his family, as well as potential legal and political ramifications. As the trial progresses, more evidence and testimony will be presented, and the jury will ultimately determine the verdict based on the facts of the case.
