WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — The Latest on Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial (all times local):
After a lengthy sidebar conversation with attorneys, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika has ordered a break before the jury is brought into the courtroom.
The discussion out of the earshot of the news media and the public lasted nearly an hour. It is unclear what they talked about. Hunter Biden joined attorneys at the sidebar for the last five minutes.
President Joe Biden’s son has been charged with three felonies: lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user and illegally having the gun for 11 days.
Currently:
— Hunter Biden’s gun trial enters its final stretch after deeply personal testimony about his drug use
— Hunter Biden’s family weathers a public and expansive airing in federal court of his drug addiction
Here’s the latest:
Hunter Biden back in court as judge and lawyers talk in sidebar
Hunter Biden has returned to the courtroom as the lawyers in his federal gun trial continued talking with the judge in sidebar.
The sidebar discussion came after attorneys finished discussing the final jury instructions.
Hunter Biden has been charged with three felonies: lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user and illegally having the gun for 11 days.
Hunter Biden leaves courtroom and judge orders short break
After attorneys finished discussing the final jury instructions in Hunter Biden’s gun trial, defense attorney Abbe Lowell told the judge “we do have another issue.”
The judge then huddled with lawyers in a sidebar conversation.
After that conversation ended, Hunter Biden left the courtroom and the judge ordered a short break.
Hunter Biden been charged with three felonies: lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user and illegally having the gun for 11 days.
Jury instruction discussion includes definition of reasonable doubt and immunity
Among the issues discussed regarding jury instructions in Hunter Biden’s gun trial were the definitions of reasonable doubt and firearms dealer.
They also discussed the immunity granted by prosecutors to Hunter’s sister-in-law and former lover, Hallie Biden, and former girlfriend Zoe Kestan, in exchange for their testimony.
The judge and attorneys also talked about how jurors can request to see certain physical exhibits, including the gun, in the jury room.
Defense attorneys argued in their proposed jury instructions that the “the overly expansive and amorphous” definitions of what it means to be a drug “user” and to “possess” a firearm will deny Hunter Biden a fair trial. They also contend that any conviction obtained using those instructions cannot be sustained on appeal.
Hunter Biden been charged with three felonies: lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user and illegally having the gun for 11 days.
Hunter Biden trial resumes in federal court
Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial has resumed in Delaware, with the judge discussing final jury instructions with attorneys.
The judge began Monday’s proceedings by overruling many of the defense team’s objections to her proposed instructions.
Hunter Biden is charged with three felonies stemming from a handgun purchase in October 2018. Prosecutors say he lied when buying the gun by stating that he was not a drug user or addict.
Hunter Biden and family arrive at the courthouse
Hunter Biden and his family have arrived at the courthouse for another day in his federal gun trial in Delaware.
First lady Jill Biden was among them Monday morning along with Hunter Biden’s uncle, James Biden; his aunt, Valerie Biden Owens; and his sister, Ashley Biden. The family has come to court a lot over the past week to support Hunter Biden.
Hunter Biden has been charged with three felonies: lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user and illegally having the gun for 11 days.
Hunter Biden’s trial enters its final stretch
The criminal trial of President Joe Biden’s son heads into its final stretch Monday as the defense tries to chip away at prosecutors’ case laying bare some of the darkest moments of Hunter Biden’s drug-fueled past.
Hunter Biden’s lawyers could call at least one more witness when the case resumes in Delaware’s federal court. It’s the first of two trials he’s facing in the midst of his father’s reelection campaign. It’s unclear whether prosecutors will call any rebuttal witnesses before the case goes to closing arguments, and then to the jury.
Hunter Biden is charged with three felonies stemming from the October 2018 purchase of a gun he had for about 11 days. Prosecutors say he lied on a mandatory gun-purchase form by saying he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs.
