Attorneys representing Hunter Biden have once again submitted a motion requesting a new trial for his recent criminal case involving the purchase of a firearm in 2018. The motion, filed by Biden’s defense attorney Abbe Lowell, argues that the federal court in Delaware did not have jurisdiction to proceed with the trial. This latest motion comes after a previous attempt was made and quickly withdrawn without explanation.
In the trial, Hunter Biden was found guilty of three charges related to lying about his drug use at the time of purchasing the firearm. These charges included making false statements during the gun purchase, providing false information to a federally licensed dealer, and possessing a gun while being an unlawful user of controlled substances. Despite pleading not guilty, Biden was unable to sway the jury in his favor.
This case is historic as it marks the first time in U.S. history that a sitting president’s child has been on trial. Prosecutors focused on proving that Biden had lied on a federal firearm form in 2018 when he denied being an unlawful substance user. This was supported by evidence from Biden’s own memoir, where he openly discussed his struggles with drug addiction, including crack cocaine.
During the trial, Biden’s defense did not dispute his history of substance abuse but argued that he was not actively using drugs at the time of purchasing the firearm. The defense highlighted Biden’s efforts to get sober and cited his time in rehab prior to the gun purchase. However, prosecutors presented text messages and other evidence suggesting that Biden was still struggling with addiction around the same time.
The guilty verdict on all charges could potentially lead to a maximum prison sentence of 25 years, although as a first-time offender, Biden is unlikely to face the full penalty. His sentencing is expected later this year, pending a date confirmation.
In addition to the legal ramifications, Hunter Biden is also facing potential disciplinary action regarding his law license in Washington, D.C. The Disciplinary Counsel for Washington, D.C., has filed a notice seeking to suspend Biden’s law license following the trial. Despite this, as of now, Biden’s status on the D.C. Bar’s website remains listed as “active” and in “good standing.”
As the legal proceedings continue, Hunter Biden and his legal team are navigating through a complex and challenging situation that could have significant implications for his future. With the motion for a new trial now in play, the outcome of this case remains uncertain as it unfolds in the coming months.