It is unclear whether he would take the stand during the trial that could last up to two weeks during his father’s re-election campaign and likely include sharp disagreements over evidence. US President Joe Biden’s son is charged with lying about his drug use in October 2018 on a form to buy a gun that he kept for about 11 days in Delaware. A trial is set to begin June 3 and could last up to two weeks as his father’s re-election campaign unfolds.
Hunter Biden has acknowledged an addiction to crack cocaine during that period, but his lawyers have said he did not break the law and the case is politically motivated. He did not speak to reporters as he accompanied his lawyers to and from the Wilmington courthouse for a hearing on Friday. Prosecutors won a victory on a key point as US District Judge Maryellen Noreika found that they would not have to prove that he specifically used drugs on the day of the purchase.
She agreed to a defence push to keep out other details about his past, including a child-support case in Arkansas and his dismissal from the Navy after a positive drug test. If he does take the stand, however, “there’s a number of issues that may become more contentious,” Judge Noreika said. Prosecutors have acknowledged those episodes likely will not be relevant unless he testifies.
She also agreed to consider defence questions about the contents of a laptop that he allegedly dropped off at a Delaware repair shop. Hunter Biden’s lawyers want to raise ques.