Hunter Biden gun trial live updates: Defense rests without his testimony

Federal prosecutors called FBI agent Erika Jensen to the stand again for the rebuttal portion of court.

Jensen, who collected evidence of Hunter Biden’s prior drug use through his memoir and messages found on his laptop, testified that Hunter texted his sister-in-law and former girlfriend, Hallie Biden on October 10th about meeting a drug dealer.

That was just two days before he purchased a firearm.

It is the closest date prosecutors can point to Biden potentially using drugs before purchasing the firearm.

Jensen testified about location data that showed Biden near Hallie Biden’s home and the 7-11 where he was set to meet the drug dealer

Hunter Biden’s fate in his federal gun charges trial will soon be in the hands of 12 Delaware residents.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of 25 years and fines of up to $750,000. However, there is no minimum sentence.

Hunter Biden’s defense attorneys have rested their case – forgoing putting Hunter on the stand.

The trial will now move to closing arguments.

Lawyers for the prosecution and defense had a long discussion with Judge Maryellen Noreika that delayed the initial start of proceedings on Monday.

It is unclear what the group was discussing but upon returning, the judge gave a short break before welcoming the jury.

Hunter Biden is in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware with members of his family and close friends there to support him.

That includes his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden; his mother, First Lady Jill Biden; his sister Ashley Biden; his aunt Valerie Biden; his uncle James Biden and his friend and benefactor Kevin Morris.

This morning’s conference about jury instructions has concluded with defense attorneys indicating Hunter Biden will not testify.

Defense asked Judge Noreika to include the language “knowingly” in the instructions – something he claims is a crucial part of the defense’s case.

On the fourth day of the trial, the prosecution rested its case after a week of focusing on the severity of Hunter Biden’s drug problem. The defense began by calling a former employee and owner of the gun shop where Hunter purchased the firearm on 12 October, 2018 before calling President Joe Biden’s granddaughter, Naomi Biden.

Gustaf Kilander has more:

Judge Maryellen Noreika is going over jury instructions with both sides this morning before the jury enters court.

Jury is expected to enter around 9am in which the defense will either continue calling witnesses or rest their case.

Hunter Biden and his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, arrived at federal court on Monday for the fifth day of proceedings.