FBI agent Erika Jensen testified that she used Hunter Biden’s memoir and data extracted from his laptop to obtain background information on his drug usage around the time he purchased a handgun in 2018.
On Tuesday, Jensen testified that she used Biden’s memoir Beautiful Things and messages found on his laptop to gather information about his behavior before he unlawfully purchased a firearm. Jurors heard audiobook clips of Biden’s memoir and saw messages in which he spoke about his drug usage.
Prosecutors have charged Biden with three gun-related counts, alleging he lied on a federal background check form and knowingly possessed a gun while using crack cocaine.
Defense attorney Abbe Lowell argued that the government must prove Biden “knowingly” lied on the form and was actively using drugs when he purchased the firearm during opening arguments earlier in the day.
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.
Biden attended detox center weeks before gun purchase
In the weeks leading up to the firearm purchase, Biden sought substance use disorder treatment at a detox center in South California, Jensen testified.
Prosecutors submitted into evidence an invoice from “The View” for 12 days of stabilization services at the end of August into September 2018.
Derek Hines, a federal prosecutor, played an audiobook sample from Biden’s 2021 memoir in which he says he was “clean for about two weeks.”
Ariana Baio4 June 2024 20:45
FBI agent testifies messages found on laptop contain evidence of drug deals
Erika Jensen, the prosecution’s first witness and the FBI agent assigned to Biden’s federal gun charges case, testified on Tuesday that 75 pages of messages were extracted from Biden’s laptop containing relevant information.
Jensen said some of those messages were exchanges Biden had with drug dealers and his former girlfriend about drugs.
She testified that several messages Biden exchanged with drug dealers occurred from April 2018 through July 2018.
Biden is accused of purchasing the firearm in October 2018.
Ariana Baio4 June 2024 20:22
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