Hunter Biden, the second son of U.S. President Joe Biden, was found guilty on three serious charges, including illegal gun possession, on the 11th (local time). There are analyses that a dark cloud has been cast over Biden’s election strategy as his child has been found guilty ahead of the November election.
According to media reports, the jury of Hunter Biden’s trial made this decision at the federal court in Wilmington, Delaware. Biden said, “Jill and I love and will always support Hunter,” but also stated, “We accept the outcome of the case and will continue to respect the judicial process.”
Hunter was indicted last year on charges of hiding the fact that he was a drug addict and buying and possessing a handgun in October 2018. It is known that Hunter had been addicted to cocaine for years, and he was charged with two counts of perjury for stating on the gun purchase form that he had not been addicted to or used illegal drugs. This is the first time in U.S. history that a sitting president’s child has been criminally charged. Special Prosecutor David Weiss said of the guilty verdict, “It shows that no one is above the law in America.”
The date of Hunter’s sentencing has not been announced. According to District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who presided over this trial, sentencing typically takes place 120 days after the verdict. The charges Hunter faced could result in a maximum of 25 years in prison and a fine of $750,000. However, the New York Times reported that it is rare for a first-time offender not involved in violent situations to receive a severe prison sentence.
Hunter’s conviction comes just weeks after former President Donald Trump was found guilty of hush-money charges in a Manhattan court in New York. This could disrupt the strategy of the Biden camp, which had been trying to differentiate itself from corrupt Trump in this election. In a recent broadcast interview, Biden said he would not pardon Hunter even if he were found guilty.
Furthermore, Hunter is facing another trial for tax evasion in Los Angeles in September, which could pose a more direct risk to Biden. Unlike the illegal gun possession trial, the tax evasion charge is linked to suspicions that Hunter received a large sum of money when he was hired as an executive of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings while Biden was vice president.
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