Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has been found guilty of three felony charges of lying on a gun application form, saying he was not a drug addict and was not doing drugs when he bought a Colt Cobra revolver in 2018.The prosecutors claimed the president’s son was a full-blown crack cocaine addict at the time. Hunter is facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted and $750,000 in fines. Witnesses for the prosecution included Hallie Biden, Hunter’s sister in-law, who entered into a sexual relationship with Hunter after his brother, Beau, died from cancer. Also called to testify were Hunter’s ex-wife Kathleen Buhle, to whom he was married for 20 years and Zoe Kestan, who was involved with Biden, even while he carried on his relationship with Hallie. All three women testified to Hunter’s drug use. Another ‘witness’ for the prosecution was the infamous ‘laptop from hell’ that the New York Post, reported four years ago contained scandalous content, including photos of Hunter consuming drugs, of him in compromising positions and situations with hookers and strippers, as well as photos of Hunter’s father, Joe and stepmother Jill, at family outings. . In a written statement on the first day of the trial President Biden said, “as the president, I don’t and won’t comment on pending federal cases” while also hailing Hunter as "inspiring."“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.”The president said in an interview with ABC News he would not consider pardoning his son.What's next:Here’s what is known about the verdict and the next steps in the case: Hunter Biden became the first child of a sitting president to ever be convicted of a crime. The specific charges he was found guilty of (and potential time in prison) were: count 1, making a false statement in the purchase of a firearm (10 years); count 2, making a false statement related to information required to be kept by federal firearms licenced dealer (five years) and; count 3, possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of, or addicted to, controlled substance (10 years). Each charge also brings a fine of up to US$250,000 each The New York Post reports “Federal Judge Maryellen Noreika has yet to determine when she will dole out punishment to President Biden’s 54-year-old son, but she noted after the verdict was read that sentencing hearings are normally set about four months after conviction.” Noreika will advise the prosecutors in special counsel David Weiss’ office and Hunter’s defence team of a date to file papers that will lay out what punishment they think Hunter should receive. While the Biden son could face up to 25 years, he’s unlikely to get such a heavy sentence under the federal guidelines since he’s never been convicted of a crime before, says the New York Post, adding Abbe Lowell, Hunter’s lawyer indicated the conviction would likely be appealed and that the defence was “disappointed” by the verdict and would “vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available to Hunter.” Hunter issued a statement after the verdict was announced, saying, “I am more grateful today for the love and support I experienced this last week from Melissa, my family, my friends and my community than I am disappointed by the outcome,” he said. “Recovery is possible by the grace of God, and I am blessed to experience that gift one day at a time.” But more days in court are in store for Hunter when, on September 5, he faces separate charges he didn’t pay US$1.4 million in taxes from 2016 through 2019. The New York Post reports Hunter has since paid those taxes.
