WILMINGTON, Del.- Hunter Biden was found guilty Tuesday of all charges related to his purchase of a Colt Cobra pistol in 2018, when he lied on a federal form about his drug use and a president’s son was convicted of a felony for the first time.
Biden was found guilty of three crimes related to the purchase and possession of weapons, which prosecutors said occurred at a time when he was a crack cocaine user. According to the defense, the prosecution’s case was filled with innuendo and conjecture.
The administration said the case was about the rule of law and Hunter Biden’s choice to buy a firearm while using crack cocaine.
In a statement to reporters, Special Prosecutor David Weiss said the case “was about the illegal choices the defendant made while in the grip of addiction, his choice to lie on a government form when he purchased a gun and the choice to to subsequently possess that weapon. .”
“It was these choices and the combination of weapons and drugs that made his behavior dangerous,” Weiss said. The special prosecutor was not present in court for the verdict.
It took about three hours of deliberation before twelve Delaware residents reached a unanimous decision on the charges. Biden had left the courthouse on Tuesday morning and returned quickly after a verdict was handed down.
Here’s what you missed on day 7 of the Hunter Biden trial:
Biden found guilty
Biden entered the courtroom and took a seat at the defense table next to his attorney. Behind him sat Biden’s wife, Melissa Cohen-Biden, his close friend Kevin Morris, and friends and other family members who have been by his side in court since the trial began more than a week ago.
The defendant kept a close eye on the jurors as they filled their seats. One took a quick glance at the defense table before the foreman began reading the verdict.
Biden nodded slightly after the final guilty indictment was read. He patted Lowell’s shoulder. Cohen-Biden looked straight ahead and clenched her jaw.
Moments after the verdict was read, Valerie Biden-Owens, wearing dark glasses, hurried into the courtroom, down the center aisle, and squeezed into a small space next to Cohen-Biden in the front row.
As Biden stepped away from the defense table, he hugged his wife. He betrayed no emotion as he left the courtroom. Morris looked straight ahead as he walked outside.
Assistant Special Prosecutor Derek Hines declined to comment to NBC News on the verdict but smiled.
The first lady arrives
As Biden, Cohen-Biden and their closest allies huddled in the defense room, first lady Jill Biden passed court officials who had gathered in the hallway to join her son. A few minutes later, her closest aide, Anthony Bernal, stood outside the room. The door suddenly opened and out came Hunter Biden, who led the group to the elevator and gently tapped everyone on the shoulder as they entered. He squeezed behind them.
The first lady was not in the courtroom when the verdict was read.
Prosecutors next target
Biden will go on trial again later this year in a felony tax case in Los Angeles, where prosecutors allege he was involved in a scheme to avoid paying at least $1.4 million in income taxes over three years. Biden has pleaded not guilty. The trial could reveal new details about Biden’s business dealings, which Republicans have tried to link to his father.
Addressing reporters in Delaware on Tuesday, Weiss added: “No one is above the law.” He concluded his remarks by thanking Attorney General Merrick Garland “for providing the support necessary to fulfill our mission and ensure we have the independence to appropriately pursue our investigations and prosecutions.” to make.”
Weiss and his team of prosecutors are expected to go to trial against Biden in early September, after the judge overseeing the case agreed to delay the start date from June 20.
Shortly after noon, a text from Democratic political group Forward Blue asked supporters to “please confirm you are voting for Joseph Robinette Biden?”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
