The jury that convicted Hunter Biden on three felony gun charges wanted to ensure a fair trial and review all the evidence before reaching a verdict, according to an anonymous juror who spoke with CBS News. The juror emphasized that politics did not play a role in their decision-making process.
The twelve-member jury, consisting of six men and six women, deliberated for approximately three hours after receiving the case on Monday afternoon. Initially, when the jurors took a vote to gauge where they stood on the charges, the vote was split evenly at 6-6. Juror No. 10 revealed that they may have been one of the six jurors who initially voted not guilty, but emphasized that the goal was to thoroughly examine the evidence and not rush to judgment.
Despite the initial split, the jury ultimately reached a unanimous decision to convict Hunter Biden on all three counts. The prosecution successfully argued that Hunter Biden violated federal law by purchasing and possessing a gun while being a drug addict.
Juror No. 10 explained the rationale behind the guilty verdict, pointing to the form Hunter Biden filled out to purchase the gun. The form required him to declare whether he was an unlawful user of controlled substances, to which he falsely claimed he was not. The juror noted that Hunter Biden was clearly not drug-free at the time of the gun purchase, as evidenced by his admission of drug use in his book, “Beautiful Things,” published in 2021.
The juror highlighted that Hunter Biden’s own words from his book, especially in the audiobook format, did not help his defense. In the book, Hunter openly acknowledges his struggles with addiction, reinforcing the prosecution’s argument that he was an addict when he purchased the gun.
During the reading of the verdict, the courtroom atmosphere was described as solemn by the anonymous juror. The juror expressed sympathy for Hunter Biden’s family, particularly noting that First Lady Jill Biden did not make it back into the courtroom in time for the announcement of the verdict.
President Joe Biden, who had refrained from involvement in the trial, altered his schedule to fly to Wilmington upon learning of the verdict. In a statement, the President expressed his acceptance of the outcome and reiterated his love for his son. Hunter Biden potentially faces up to 25 years in prison, although the final sentencing decision rests with the judge.
The juror emphasized that Hunter Biden, like anyone else, needs more help than incarceration. The juror believed that jail would not be beneficial for someone struggling with addiction and advocated for a more rehabilitative approach.
As the legal process continues, including the sentencing phase, the focus remains on ensuring a fair and just resolution for all parties involved. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges surrounding substance abuse and the criminal justice system.
