A jury in Delaware convicted Hunter Biden of three counts related to a 2018 revolver sale. Prosecutors argued that President Joe Biden’s son lied on a mandatory gun purchase form, claiming at the time that he was not using illegal drugs or was addicted to them, according to the Associated Press.
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Details of Hunter Biden’s trial, conviction and post-verdict reaction
AP reports that Hunter “stared straight ahead and showed little emotion” as the jury read his guilty verdicts. The jury deliberated on the charges for two days, a total of three hours.
The jury found Hunter Biden guilty of lying to a state-licensed gun dealer, making false statements on the application by claiming he did not use drugs, and illegally possessing the gun for 11 days.
U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika has not yet set a sentencing date, but Biden faces up to 25 years in prison for the charges. Because he is a first-time offender, it is possible he may not receive the maximum sentence or no prison time at all.
In a written statement after the verdict, Hunter Biden said he was disappointed by the outcome but grateful for the support of family and friends. His lawyer said they will “continue to vigorously pursue all available legal challenges.”
President Biden reacts to his son’s conviction
Hunter’s stepmother, First Lady Jill Biden, arrived minutes after the jury announced its verdict, according to the AP. She attended “most of the trial.” She later left the courthouse hand in hand with Hunter, while his wife Melissa held his other hand. None of the trio spoke to the press.
President Biden, meanwhile, was not present at his son’s trial. On Monday evening (June 10), he and Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a star-studded Juneteenth concert at the White House. Hunter is the president’s only living son from his previous marriage to the late Neilia.
After the jury’s decision was announced, President Joe Biden said he would accept the outcome of the case – similar to what he said last week about the outcome of his son’s trial.
“As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a father, and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families whose loved ones have battled addiction understand the feeling of pride when you see someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery,” President Biden said after the verdict. “As I also said last week, I will accept the trial while Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always stand by Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. That will never change.”
Last week, President Biden also stated, according to NBC News, that he would not pardon Hunter if convicted.
Ironically, Hunter’s ruling came just before the president was scheduled to speak at the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund conference about his administration’s efforts to curb gun violence.
More legal problems for Hunter
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles are not over yet. In September, he will face trial in California for failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes.
Republicans in Congress have signaled they will continue their stalled impeachment proceedings against the president. Prosecutors investigating his son have not accused or charged Joe with any wrongdoing.
Now both Hunter Biden and likely Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the president’s biggest political rival, have been convicted by American juries – and this in an election year that was as much about the courtroom as it was about campaign events and rallies.
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Associated Press writers RANDALL CHASE, CLAUDIA LAUER, MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, COLLEEN LONG and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER contributed to this report.