Today marks the commencement of the highly anticipated trial involving Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, at the courthouse in Wilmington. The proceedings began with jury selection, a process that is still ongoing as potential jurors are being vetted. Hunter Biden, accompanied by his attorney, made his entrance into the courtroom, followed by a surprise appearance from First Lady Jill Biden on her 73rd birthday.
President Biden has been closely involved, spending time with his son over the weekend and maintaining regular communication during the trial, as reported by The New York Times. Judge Mary Ellen Noryka initiated the jury selection at 8:46 a.m., with some technical difficulties experienced with the audio system, which are being addressed. Prospective jurors were instructed not to research the case online and were required to remove their phones from the courtroom.
Approximately 250 potential jurors are being considered, from which a final jury of 12 members and alternates will be selected. The jurors will undergo questioning regarding their knowledge of the case, opinions on the Bidens, and other relevant matters. The prosecution alleges that Hunter Biden provided false information on a federal form when purchasing a gun in 2018, specifically denying drug use.
Defense attorneys sought to introduce a second gun form into evidence to challenge the accuracy of the initial form completed by the gun shop owner. However, the judge ruled against admitting the additional form. The prosecution plans to call around a dozen witnesses, potentially including the gun shop owner, Hunter's ex-wife Kathleen Buell, and Hallie Buniden, widow of Beau Biden.
Initially, a plea agreement was in place, but it fell through when Judge Noryka scrutinized the specifics of the deal. The previous agreement is now intertwined with Hunter's tax charges, which will be addressed in a separate trial scheduled for September in Los Angeles. Despite the complexities and challenges leading up to the trial, the case is now proceeding, shedding light on the legal scrutiny faced by the Biden family.
