FBI agent Erika Jensen was the first witness to be called to testify in Hunter Biden’s federal gun charges trial on Tuesday, following relatively brief opening arguments from each side.
The trial, in which Biden is accused of lying about his drug usage on a federal firearms form in October 2018 and knowingly purchasing a gun while battling addiction, is moving swiftly along – faster than Judge Maryellen Noreika told jurors it would take.
Jury selection began and concluded on Monday, with 12 Delaware residents seated. Many shared personal experiences with substance use disorder and firearms – two critical parts of the case against Biden.
Prosecutor Derek Hines delivered opening remarks for the government, beginning with a familiar phrase: “Nobody is above the law”. He argued that the president’s son must be held accountable for his decision to purchase a gun.
However, defense attorney Abbe Lowell argued that the government must prove Biden “knowingly” lied on the federal gun form and was high when he purchased the firearm. He appealed to jurors by reminding them Biden was dealing with grief from the loss of his brother, Beau Biden, and was in “denial” about his drug use.
Prosecutors introduce Hunter Biden’s laptop into evidence
Prosecutors introduced the infamous laptop that belonged to Hunter Biden into evidence on Tuesday while questioning their first witness, FBI agent Erika Jensen.
The laptop has been at the center of nationwide controversy as the contents – some of which were embarrassing photos and videos as well as emails – were published online.
Jensen told the court that the FBI had to authenticate the laptop and extract data that contained evidence of Biden’s drug usage.
Ariana Baio4 June 2024 19:52
FBI agent identifies Hunter Biden’s laptop
During the afternoon portion of testimony, FBI agent Erika Jensen identified Hunter Biden’s laptop– the same one that was dropped off at a repair shop in Delaware and eventually became a point of controversy in the media.
“This is the laptop that was recovered from the computer store,” she said after reading the serial number.
The laptop is the same one subject to a lawsuit between Biden and Garret Ziegler
Ariana Baio4 June 2024 19:31
Trial resumes
Court is back from lunch. Jurors are hearing from an FBI agent who was assigned to Biden’s case last year.
Ariana Baio4 June 2024 19:14
Prosecution and defense do not dispute Biden’s drug use
The prosecution and the defense in the Hunter Biden trial on federal gun charges agree on one thing: The president’s son struggled with substance use disorder.
What’s disputed is whether he was an active drug user when he bought a gun in Wilmington, Delaware on 12 October 2018.
The prosecution used extensive excerpts from Biden’s 2021 memoir Beautiful Things to argue that he was. The defense says he didn’t knowingly break the law as Biden didn’t consider himself an active user at the time.
Hunter Biden’s entourage exceeded a dozen people, including First Lady Jill Biden, half-sister Ashley Biden, and close friend and financial benefactor Kevin Morris.
Gustaf Kilander is reporting from Wilmington, Delaware
Gustaf Kilander 4 June 2024 18:45
Ashley Biden appears visibly upset after listening to Biden’s memoir
Ashley Biden walked out in what looked like tears during the lengthy section when the prosecution played excerpts of Biden’s audiobook in which he detailed his extensive drug use.
Before walking out, First Lady Jill Biden had her arm around her.
Gustaf Kilander is reporting from Wilmington, Delaware
Gustaf Kilander4 June 2024 18:32
Beau Biden widow to testify at Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial
Weiss confirmed during the trial on Tuesday that will include Hallie Biden, the widow of Biden’s brother Beau Biden. Hallie and Hunter dated briefly after Beau’s death.
Ariana Baio4 June 2024 18:30
Court takes lunch break
Judge Maryellen Noreika has adjourned court until 1:50pm for lunch.
Ariana Baio4 June 2024 18:01
Prosecution leans on Hunter Biden’s memoir
Federal prosecutor Derek Hines played clips of Hunter Biden’s narration of his memoir Beautiful Things to members of the jury on Tuesday while corroborating parts of a witness’s testimony.
While FBI agent Erika Jensen spoke about digging through Biden’s memoir for pieces of evidence related to his substance use disorder, prosecutors played corresponding clips.
One excerpt included Biden’s description of how the president’s son obtained crack cocaine.
Ariana Baio4 June 2024 18:00
On the stand FBI agent details her background
Erika Jensen is an FBI agent who was assigned to Hunter Biden’s case last year. Jensen said she spent time going through Biden’s memoir Beautiful Things highlighting areas where he recounted his addiction and the times he smoked crack cocaine.
Prosecutors played audio of Biden reading narration from his audiobook for the jury.
Ariana Baio4 June 2024 17:21
Hunter Biden’s wife calls former Trump aide ‘Nazi piece of s***’ in hallway: report
Melissa Cohen Biden, the wife of Hunter Biden, got into a confrontation with a former Trump White House aide who is currently involved in civil litigation with Hunter Biden, according to NBC News.
During the brief court break, Garret Ziegler – who is accused of publishing content from Biden’s laptop – was approached by Melissa in the hallway.
Melissa allegedly became angry at Ziegler’s pressence telling him, “You have no right to be here you Nazi piece of s***,” before walking away.
Ariana Baio4 June 2024 17:05
