Federal prosecutors are nearing the end of presenting charges against Hunter Biden, with two more witnesses expected on Friday in an effort to prove to jurors that the president’s son lied on a mandatory gun purchase form when he stated that he was not an “unlawful user or addict” of drugs.
The United States (U.S.) First Lady Jill Biden, who has been in court for much of the week, flew in from France on Thursday to be at the trial again on Friday before returning to France for a ceremonial dinner marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings during World War II.
Prosecutors planned to call a drug expert and an FBI chemist, wrapping up a week largely focused on highlighting the severity of Hunter Biden’s drug problem through highly personal and sometimes harsh testimonies.
Jurors have heard from his ex-wife and former girlfriend, who testified about his habitual use of “crack” cocaine and their unsuccessful attempts to help him get clean.
They have seen pictures of the president’s son with a bare chest in a disheveled room, holding crack pipes, and watched a video of his cocaine being weighed on a scale.
Prosecutors argue that the evidence is essential to prove that Hunter, 54, was in the throes of addiction when he bought the gun and therefore lied when he checked “no” on the form.
His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, argued that Hunter did not think of himself as an “addict” when he bought the gun and had no intention of deceiving anyone.
Hunter Biden is charged with three crimes: lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application stating he was not a drug user, and illegal possession of a firearm for 11 days.
Hunter Biden has said he is being prosecuted because the Justice Department caved to Republican pressure, who claimed the Democratic president’s son received special treatment and escalated their attacks on the criminal justice system following Donald Trump’s recent indictment in New York.
His attorney, Lowell, has said he will call the president’s brother, James, as a witness, but it remains unclear if Hunter Biden himself will testify, RSE writes.
E.Dz.
