Hunter Biden grips wife’s hand tightly as president’s son arrives at court for gun charges trial days after Trump case
HUNTER Biden has been pictured gripping his wife’s hand as he arrives at a courthouse for the start of his firearms trial.
The president’s son, 54, was accompanied by his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, as they entered the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday for the start of jury selection.
GettyHunter Biden arrives with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, for the start of his trial on gun charges[/caption]
EPAFirst Lady Jill Biden was also seen entering the courtroom in support of her stepson[/caption]
ReutersHunter Biden, accompanied by his wife, entered the courthouse for the start of jury selection in his firearms trial[/caption]
ReutersThe president’s son was indicted on federal gun charges in September 2023 after his deal with prosecutors fell apart[/caption]
The Biden family showed up in full force at the Wilmington courthouse to support Hunter.
First Lady Jill Biden, who turned 73 on Monday, was pictured being escorted by Secret Service agents as she entered the building at around 8:30 am.
Ashley Biden, the daughter of Joe and Jill Biden and half-sister of Hunter, was also seen joining the family inside the courtroom.
President Joe Biden, who was not in attendance at his son’s trial, released a statement supporting Hunter.
“I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today,” President Biden said.
“Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us.
“A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean.
“As the President, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength.
“Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support.”
Inside the courtroom, Hunter sat in the middle of the defense table beside his lawyer, Abbe Lowell.
Seated in the row behind the defense table are President Biden’s brother-in-law Jack Owen, Hunter’s friend Kevin Morris, half-sister Ashley, First Lady Jill Biden, Melissa Cohen, and members of the Secret Service, according to NBC News.
Hunter is facing three firearm-related charges for allegedly owning a gun while being an active drug user in October 2018.
The president’s sole surviving son is required to be in the courtroom each day of his trial, which is expected to last a week.
It seemed unlikely that Hunter would face trial on the weapons charges a year ago after initially reaching a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
As a Dad, I have boundless love for my son.
President Joe Biden
In June 2023, both sides agreed that federal officials would not charge Hunter with the two more serious gun charges in exchange for a guilty plea to two misdemeanor crimes.
The deal also meant Hunter would not get prison time.
The parties were supposed to resolve the matter during a court hearing in July 2023 before Judge Maryellen Noreika raised concerns about the agreement’s terms.
Noreika pressed prosecutors on whether the agreement meant Hunter would be immune from prosecution for other crimes.
The defense disagreed with prosecutors on the terms, insisting that Hunter’s guilty plea encompasses immunity from any other criminal charges.
Prosecutor David Weiss didn’t confirm whether the Department of Justice’s investigation into Hunter was still ongoing, urging Judge Noreika to rule against the plea deal.
Drama between Hunter Biden and his brother's widow which lead to firearm charges explained
Hunter Biden's firearms trial began in Wilmington, Delaware, on June 3, 2024. Hunter, 54, is accused of owning a gun while being an active drug user in October 2018. The president's son is accused of lying to a federal licensed gun deal when asked in a form if he was an active drug user
How were the charges brought about?
The bizarre incident that prompted Hunter Biden’s indictment on firearms charges reportedly occurred on October 23, 2018.
Hunter Biden spent the night at Hallie Biden’s home, the widow of his brother, Beau.
As he slept, Hallie dropped her children off at school, and when she returned home, she looked through Hunter’s pickup truck on the back of ‘suspicions’ as he was an active drug user at the time, according to Politico.
Hallie found a newly purchased Colt Cobra .38 handgun.
Angry and fearful, Hallie put the gun in a shopping bag and drove a few miles to Janssen’s Market, where she disposed of the gun in a trash can.
When Hunter learned of her doings, he asked her to retrieve the firearm, but when Hallie went back to the store’s trash can, the gun was gone, the outlet reported.
The gun was found by a man who regularly rummages through the trash.
The store’s general manager, Laula Janssen, called the police.
Janssen’s Market is located across the street from Alexis I. du Pont High School.
Delaware police launched an investigation out of fear the gun could’ve been used in a crime.
Secret Service became involved in the incident after local police launched the investigation.
Two Secret Service agents questioned the owner of StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply in Wilmington, producing badges and identification, Politico reported.
The store owner, Ron Palmieri, refused, Secret Service agents said, and gave the sale records to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
A Firearms Transaction Record and a receipt showed the gun was purchased on October 12, 2018.
When on the questionnaire: “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?” Hunter wrote, “No.”
Lying on a firearm purchase form is a felony.
What happened to Hunter Biden’s plea deal?
June 2023: Hunter Biden’s defense team and federal officials reached a plea agreement where prosecutors would not charge Hunter with the two more serious gun charges in exchange for a guilty plea to two misdemeanor crimes.
The plea deal also meant Hunter would avoid jail time.
July 2023: Both parties were expected to resolve the matter in J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware, in Judge Maryellen Noreika’s courtroom.
But Judge Noreika questioned the terms of the agreement and pressed prosecutors if the plea deal meant Hunter would be immune to future charges.
The parties clashed over Hunter’s immunity status, with the defense arguing that the plea deal meant the defendant would be free of any ensuing criminal charges.
When asked by Noreika if the Department of Justice’s investigation into Hunter remains open, federal prosecutors refused to clarify.
Noreika ruled against the plea deal’s terms.
September 2023: a federal grand jury indicted Hunter Biden with three firearm-related charges.
In September 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Hunter with three felonies, including making false statements in the purchase of a firearm, providing false statements to information required to be kept by a federal firearms licensed dealer, and possession of a firearm by an active drug user.
Hunter faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
He is facing a separate trial in Los Angeles in September involving a series of tax offenses.
The president’s son is accused of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes between 2016 through 2019.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Hunter’s trial kicks off just days after former President Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York.
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