Hunter Biden trial live updates: Jury selection begins in federal gun charges case
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox
Get our free Inside Washington email
Hunter Biden’s trial on federal gun charges began with jury selection in Wilmington, Delaware on Monday.
The son of President Joe Biden stands accused of having bought a handgun on 12 October 2018 while being an active user of crack cocaine.
The prosecutors will be relying on Biden’s memoir to make the case that he was a drug user when he bought a handgun at StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply in Wilmington on 12 October 2018.
While Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, didn’t mention buying a firearm in his memoir Beautiful Things, he did outline his drug use. Prosecutors have called the book “incriminating.”
The prosecution has noted that they possibly plan on attempting to prove that Biden used illegal drugs by pointing to texts he sent at the time.
A number of those text messages came from an iCloud account they got access to via a subpoena and others were sourced from a laptop that Biden is reported to have left at a repair shop and never returned to collect.
VIDEO: Jury selection begins in Hunter Biden’s gun trial
Gustaf Kilander3 June 2024 15:45
Jury selection process begins
The jury selection process began with prospective jurors filling out a questionnaire. The judge then asked some follow-up questions to those who answered yes to some of the questions.
The questions for the jurors so far have been about their personal schedules, opinions on gun ownership, and any possible history of drug addiction in their families, according to The Washington Post.
A gun owner with previous convictions was removed from the process after he said he would not be able to be impartial in a case regarding someone who was prohibited from owning a gun for something they did in their past.
One potential juror said she feels US gun laws aren’t strong enough, but added that she could be impartial. The lawyers said they were unsure if she should be allowed on the jury.
Gustaf Kilander3 June 2024 15:29
Hunter Biden dealt major blow to case on eve of federal gun trial
Hunter Biden has been dealt a major blow to his defense on the eve of his criminal trial on federal gun charges.
Biden has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
But Biden already looks set to face an uphill battle in the case following a series of 11th-hour rulings handed down by the judge on Sunday night.
In the rulings, US District Judge Maryellen Noreika blocked Biden’s legal team from presenting both a key piece of evidence and testimony from a key expert witness to jurors at his trial.
Rachel Sharp3 June 2024 15:15
PHOTOS: Biden family members arrive at court on opening day of trial
Gustaf Kilander3 June 2024 15:00
‘Happy Birthday’: Hunter shares joke with first lady in court
Gustaf Kilander3 June 2024 14:54
Statement from President Joe Biden
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.
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.
Joe Biden
Gustaf Kilander3 June 2024 14:53
Jill Biden turns up to support Hunter at his gun trial in Delaware
Gustaf Kilander3 June 2024 14:52
Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog on Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial.
Gustaf Kilander3 June 2024 14:51
