Hunter Biden guilty of all charges in federal gun trial

Hunter Biden has been discovered responsible on all three prices in his federal gun trial, turning into the primary son of a sitting US president to be criminally convicted.

Prosecutors mentioned Biden, 54, lied about his drug use on a federal type when he purchased a handgun in 2018.

Biden pleaded not responsible, claiming he was in restoration from drug dependancy on the time and was due to this fact truthful on the gun utility type.

A panel of 12 Delaware jurors reached their verdict after about three hours of deliberations.

Biden confirmed little emotion as he realized his destiny on Tuesday. He stared forward with arms folded earlier than turning round to hug a few of the associates on his authorized workforce.

He confronted two prices associated to mendacity about his drug use on a federal background examine, and one for possessing a gun whereas hooked on or utilizing medicine.

As soon as court docket was adjourned, he kissed and embraced his spouse earlier than strolling out of the room, escorted by Secret Service brokers.

Biden mentioned in a press release that he was “upset by the result”, however “grateful at this time for the love and help I skilled this final week from Melissa, my household, my associates, and my neighborhood”.

A number of members of Biden’s household had supported him in court docket all through the trial. Nonetheless, solely two have been current for sentencing: his spouse, Melissa Cohen Biden, and James Biden, his uncle, and US President Joe Biden’s brother.

US First Woman Jill Biden arrived within the foyer of the court docket minutes after the decision was learn, and left along with her step-son previous throngs of photographers and journalists.

Consultants say it’s doable Hunter Biden might face jail time – though it might be extremely unlikely for him to obtain the utmost sentence of 25 years.

The decide didn’t set a date for sentencing, however famous that it might often happen inside 120 days of conviction.

Abbe Lowell, the defence lawyer, mentioned he would “vigorously pursue all of the authorized challenges accessible to Hunter”.

Talking after the conviction, particular counsel David Weiss mentioned the case was not about dependancy, however about “the unlawful decisions the defendant made” whereas within the throes of dependancy – echoing the phrases of the trial prosecutors.

“No-one on this nation is above the regulation,” Mr Weiss mentioned. “Everybody have to be accountable for his or her actions, even this defendant.”