Hey folks, let’s dive into the latest twist in Hunter Biden’s legal saga. The judge overseeing his federal gun case in Delaware has made some significant rulings ahead of the trial set to begin next month. Here’s what went down:
On Friday, Judge Maryellen Noreika decided that prosecutors from Special Counsel David Weiss’ team won’t be able to use certain salacious details about Hunter Biden’s past in his upcoming trial. This includes references to his discharge from the U.S. Navy and the child support case involving his out-of-wedlock daughter in Arkansas. This ruling is crucial as jury selection kicks off on June 3.
Fox News has reported that prosecutors were gearing up to use parts of Hunter’s book and laptop, including some controversial photos, to argue that he lied on a federal form when purchasing a revolver in 2018 while allegedly using drugs. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Judge Noreika made it clear that while the prosecution can present evidence of Hunter’s drug addiction from his book, they must tread carefully with other evidence. They can’t use the infamous laptop in its entirety but can introduce selected portions. Additionally, Hunter’s defense team can question aspects of the laptop in court. This laptop, which leaked in 2020 just before the presidential election, was once labeled as Russian disinformation by 51 former intelligence officials (which turned out to be a hoax and has since been confirmed as Hunter’s laptop).
In a move known as a “motion in limine,” Hunter Biden’s defense attorneys successfully blocked the prosecution from bringing up certain salacious details. These include references to the child support case and his Navy discharge. This was in relation to the child he fathered with ex-stripper Lunden Roberts. The defense argued that such details would create unfair prejudice and distract from the actual charges.
Judge Noreika agreed with the defense on several points, barring the use of the term “extravagant lifestyle,” although she allowed evidence of heavy spending. She also prohibited the prosecution from discussing Hunter’s Navy discharge. Hunter Biden was discharged in 2014 after testing positive for cocaine. Moreover, comments from Hunter’s collapsed plea deal won’t be allowed in court either.
According to Weiss’s indictment, Hunter Biden purchased a Colt Cobra revolver in October 2018 and allegedly made false statements on the federal form regarding his drug use. The charges also include possessing the firearm while being addicted to narcotics. Combined, these charges could lead to up to 25 years in prison, $250,000 in fines per count, and three years of supervised release.
One more intriguing detail involves a 2018 incident where a gun owned by Hunter Biden was found in a trash can. Hallie Biden, who was in a relationship with Hunter at the time, reportedly threw the gun away. She might be called to testify during the trial. Interestingly, Delaware state police chose not to charge Hunter at the time, a point the defense wanted to highlight but which Judge Noreika has barred from being mentioned in court.
In addition to the gun case, Hunter Biden is also facing a federal tax trial in California. This trial, which was initially set for June, has been rescheduled to September 5 following a request from Hunter’s attorneys. He faces charges of not paying $1.4 million in taxes, which he has since paid, but the allegations include a four-year scheme of failing to file accurate tax returns.
With the trial dates set and the rulings in place, it’s clear that Hunter Biden’s legal battles are far from over. Stay tuned, folks, because this story is only going to get more interesting as we head into the trials.
