Jurors in Hunter Biden’s gun case have begun deliberations to determine the fate of the US president’s son.
The 54-year-old is accused of lying about his drug use on a federal form while purchasing a firearm in 2018 and illegally possessing a gun as an alleged drug user.
Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting Biden was struggling with addiction when he bought the gun in Delaware. His defense team contends he was in recovery and not using drugs at the time.
Biden, who did not testify, denies the three charges against him. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.
In his closing argument, prosecutor Leo Wise emphasized that “no one is above the law” and the case’s importance is not affected by the defendant’s identity. “The central issue in this case is whether he was an addict, and knew that he was,” Wise stated.
Wise reviewed witness testimonies from Biden’s former partners and excerpts from Biden’s memoir to argue he was actively using drugs when he purchased the gun. The evidence, according to Wise, was “personal. It was ugly, and it was overwhelming.”
Biden’s defense team maintains he was in recovery at the time and thus truthful when he indicated on the paperwork that he was not a drug user.