WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) – An ex-girlfriend detailed his near-constant cocaine use at luxury hotels as prosecutors sought to prove Hunter Biden lied about his addiction to illegally buying guns during a criminal trial.
Hotel drug use
Jurors were told that Hunter Biden would make cocaine at luxurious venues such as the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. In the months before buying the gun in 2018, Biden spent days in a hotel room smoking the drug, according to his ex-girlfriend, Zoe Kestan.
“As soon as he woke up he wanted to smoke,” Kestan testified. She recalled meeting with a “scary” drug dealer and searching online for instructions on converting powder cocaine to crack cocaine.
President’s children stand trial for first time
The trial is the first time a U.S. president’s children have faced criminal charges. Prosecutors say Hunter Biden intentionally lied about his drug use on paperwork to buy a revolver in October 2018.
Hunter Biden’s ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, who divorced him in 2017, also testified briefly, describing how she discovered his drug use.
Prosecutors plan to call Hallie Biden, the widow of Hunter’s late brother Beau Biden, as a witness.
Hunter Biden’s Request
Hunter Biden, 54, has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges alleging he failed to disclose his illegal drug use when purchasing a gun and illegally possessed a gun for 11 days.
Hunter Biden has publicly acknowledged his past drug use, including in his memoir, and told a judge at a 2023 hearing that he had been sober since 2019.
National Defense Strategy
Hunter Biden’s defense attorney, Abe Lowell, argued that Biden was not taking drugs when he bought the guns and had no intent to deceive. Lowell urged an FBI agent to confirm that prosecutors had evidence that Biden took drugs only before or after buying the guns, not during the purchase.
History background
The trial follows another historic conviction in which Donald Trump, a Republican, will challenge Democrat Joe Biden in the November 5 election, becoming the first U.S. president to be convicted of a felony.
Important Testimonies
Kesten also shared a message Hunter Biden sent a month after buying the gun in October 2018, in which he said he might be able to kick his drug habit but “will always be an addict.”
Cross-examination by the defense
The defense has been trying to argue that there is no evidence that Hunter Biden was on drugs when he bought the gun in October 2018. Under cross-examination, Kesten acknowledged that she had not seen Biden in the weeks before and after the gun purchase. She also acknowledged that when Biden described himself as a lifelong addict, he used language typical of someone recovering from drug use.
FBI testimony
Under questioning by Lowell, FBI agent Erica Jensen acknowledged that most of the information prosecutors provided about Hunter Biden’s drug use was sent before the guns were purchased or months after they were confiscated.
Lowell also tried to refute the claim that Hunter Biden withdrew $151,000 in cash to buy drugs when he bought the guns. Jensen admitted that she did not know whether the money was used for lodging or other expenses.
Prosecutor’s rebuttal
Prosecutor Derek Hines stressed that Hunter Biden used debit cards rather than cash to buy alcohol and other items during this time. He asked Johnson, “Do drug dealers accept credit cards?” Johnson replied, “In my experience, no.”
Republicans call for prosecution
Top U.S. House Republicans leading the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden on Wednesday asked the Justice Department to indict his brother, James Biden, and Hunter Biden, accusing them of lying during the probe.
The Road Ahead
Hunter Biden’s trial is ongoing and is drawing much attention due to its historical context and potential impact on President Joe Biden. As the case progresses, testimony from key witnesses and the strategies of the prosecution and defense will be closely watched. The outcome of the trial could have far-reaching implications, not only for Hunter Biden, but also for the broader political landscape as the November 5 election approaches.
The testimony and evidence presented in this high-stakes trial will play a key role in determining whether Hunter Biden will be found guilty. Both sides continue to build their cases, with prosecutors seeking to prove deception and illegal conduct, while the defense aims to prove there was no intent to deceive and that there is insufficient evidence of drug use when purchasing the guns.
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