We have received an update from the courtroom regarding the ongoing trial involving Hunter Biden. Currently, the jury has not been seated, but preliminary discussions are taking place. The defense has indicated that Hunter Biden may not testify, although this has not been officially confirmed yet. Hunter arrived for his second week in court accompanied by his wife, Melissa, and other family members including his stepmother, First Lady Jill Biden, and his aunt and uncle, Val and James, who is also his business partner.
If Hunter decides not to testify, the trial could conclude swiftly with closing statements and deliberations possibly as early as this afternoon. However, if he does testify, the prosecution plans to call rebuttal witnesses, extending the trial into the week. Prosecutors allege that in October 2018, Hunter Biden, a drug user at the time, purchased and possessed a gun while falsely declaring on a federal form that he was not a drug user. They have presented text messages, witnesses, and excerpts from Hunter's own audio book as evidence.
Witnesses including Hunter's ex-wife, ex-girlfriend, and sister-in-law, Hallie, who was married to his late brother Beau, have been called to testify. The defense has argued that none of the witnesses actually saw Hunter using drugs during the period he possessed the gun. If convicted, Hunter could face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $750,000 fine, despite being a first-time non-violent offender.
Following the conclusion of this trial, Hunter Biden is scheduled to appear in court in September in Los Angeles to face federal tax charges. The outcome of whether Hunter will take the stand in the current trial remains uncertain as proceedings continue.
