Hunter Biden’s Gun Case Jury Selection Starts

TL/DR –

Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, is facing a trial following charges in Delaware related to a 2018 firearm purchase during his admitted addiction to crack. He is accused of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the gun application by saying he was not a drug user, and illegally having the gun for 11 days. The trial begins after a plea deal fell apart, and Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty, arguing he is being unfairly targeted.

Jury Selection Begins in Hunter Biden’s Federal Gun Case

Description of the ongoing federal gun case against Hunter Biden in Delaware, which began on Monday, with potential jurors being questioned on views of gun rights and drug addiction. The First Lady showed her support by attending the proceedings.

Charges against Hunter Biden include three felonies linked to a 2018 firearm purchase during his self-admitted crack addiction period. He was accused of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by denying drug use, and illegal possession of the gun for 11 days.

Judge Maryellen Noreika led the jury selection procedure, aiming to seat 16 jurors, including four alternates. The process was expedited, with about two dozen potential jurors dismissed by midafternoon due to potential biases.

The upcoming trial occurs amidst the recent conviction of Donald Trump, the anticipated 2024 Republican presidential candidate, for 34 felonies in New York City. These unrelated criminal cases highlight the role of criminal courts in the 2024 campaign.

Following a breakdown of a plea deal, Hunter Biden pleads not guilty and argues he’s being unfairly targeted by the Justice Department.

Prospective jurors answered Judge Noreika’s questionnaire to assess their potential impartiality. Question topics included knowledge of the case, views on gun ownership, personal experiences with substance abuse, and opinions on the influence of politics in the charges.

A separate trial in California awaits Hunter Biden in September on charges of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes. Following a failed plea deal, a special counsel was appointed, leading to Hunter’s indictment a month later.

Despite the trial focusing on Hunter’s misconduct, not the Biden family’s business affairs, the President’s allies worry about the negative impact on Joe Biden. The concerns include the emotional toll of public scrutiny on Hunter’s past issues and potential distractions during the President’s 2024 campaign efforts.

The case against Hunter Biden stems from a period when, by his own public admission, he was addicted to crack. His descent into drugs and alcohol followed the 2015 death of his brother, Beau Biden, from cancer. He purchased and owned a gun for 11 days in October 2018 and claimed on the gun purchase form that he was not using drugs. The defense may argue that Hunter didn’t see himself as an addict when he checked “no” to the question on the form.

If convicted, Hunter Biden faces up to 25 years in prison, although it’s unclear whether the judge would give him time behind bars.

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