Opening statements on tap in Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial

O the jury has been empaneled in the federal gun trial of Hunter Bidenand opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware.

Next, the prosecution’s first witness, FBI Special Agent Erika Jensen, is expected to testify. In the trial summary, prosecutors outlined the evidence that Jensen’s testimony will cover, including text messages from Hunter Biden — some showing images of controlled substances — and excerpts from her memoir, “Beautiful Things.”

U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika said Monday that the court would attempt to accommodate a media motion for evidence that would be admitted into evidence.

In addition to Jensen, the prosecution is expected to call Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle; a woman with whom Hunter Biden was romantically involved from 2017-2018; his brother Beau Biden’s widow, Hallie Bidenwith whom he was romantically involved, and five other witnesses, including FBI and DEA agents.

The president’s son was indicted by a federal grand jury in September following a firearms diversion deal and a felony judicial agreement related to misdemeanor tax charges were unraveled when Judge Noreika questioned whether the settlement would allow Hunter Biden to avoid possible future charges.

He now faces three criminal charges stemming from his alleged illegal purchase and possession of a firearm in 2018 while he was a drug user. He pleaded not guilty.

Jury selection

Twelve jurors and four alternates were sworn in on Monday, 10 women and six men, on the first day of the trial. Noreika then gave instructions to the panel.

During the jury selection process, all but one of the potential jurors knew about the case from the news, and many said they had an immediate connection to someone struggling with drug or alcohol abuse.

At 11:45 a.m., a dozen potential jurors out of 30 were dismissed for cause, including scheduling conflicts and political opinions. One person said gun ownership was a “God-given right,” while another said their opinion of the Bidens was “not good.”

The defense targeted another potential juror – who said he was a Fox News viewer – a former Wilmington police officer who then worked with Jill Biden at the college where she taught. He also said he met President Biden at several events and made a donation to a Beau Biden challenger in his race to be Delaware attorney general. The potential juror also told the judge that he believes prosecutors bring cases for political reasons, mentioning the criminal case against former president Donald Trump in New York and, when asked if the “political processes” had ever targeted Democrats, responded with an emphatic “no.”

Other potential jurors also responded “yes” when the judge asked “are some Justice Department and law enforcement investigations politically motivated?” Several cited Trump’s case in New York.

Before the trial began, Hunter Biden suffered some setbacks: Norieka refused to allow his lawyers to admit into evidence a second version of the firearms purchase form he filled out to buy the gun, and she granted the government’s motion to exclude one of the defense’s expert witnesses, Dr. Elie Aoun, who would testify on the nature of Hunter Biden’s drug abuse and whether he understood himself as an addict.

What are the federal gun charges against Hunter Biden?

In the three-count indictment, the president’s son is accused of making false statements on a federal form about his drug use, certifying that he was not a user of or addicted to any controlled substance during a period in which prosecutors allege he was addicted to crack. cocaine. Hunter Biden purchased a Colt Cobra .38 Special revolver, which remained in his possession for 11 days before being discarded in an outside container by Hallie Biden, his romantic partner at the time.

Hunter Biden’s lawyers condemned the charges and argued that they were “unconstitutional” and “unprecedented” as well as violating the diversion agreement which they said was still legally binding and valid.

Prosecutors are expected to present evidence detailing Hunter Biden’s story use of controlled substances before and during the period in which you purchased the firearm.

Hunter Biden’s lawyers want to call their own witnesses who are experts in addiction, forensic psychiatry and forensic toxicology.

The president’s son could face up to 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines if convicted of all charges.

Separately, he faces nine federal tax charges in the Central District of California, in a second indictment filed by Weiss’ office, where federal prosecutors allege Hunter Biden engaged in a “four-year scheme” to avoid paying at least 1.4 millions of dollars in federal taxes. References to tax charges are not admissible in your Delaware firearm trial. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges.

Robert Legare contributed to this report.