Criminal evidence debarred in Hunter Biden's federal gun trial, Internet says 'this whole case is a mess'

DOVER, DELAWARE: The judge presiding over Hunter Biden's federal gun case in Delaware on Friday, May 24, ruled that prosecutors on David Weiss' special counsel team cannot use criminal evidence, including references to his discharge from the US Navy and the child support case for his out-of-wedlock daughter in Arkansas, at the criminal trial of the first son next month. 

The court convened for its final session before jury selection on June 3. According to Fox News, prosecutors planned to use parts of his book and laptop, including photos, to convince jurors that the first son was guilty of perjury on federal charges that he bought a revolver in 2018 while actively using drugs. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

What did Judge Maryellen Noreika say?

Judge Maryellen Noreika said on Friday, May 24, that Weiss must prove that Hunter Biden was addicted to drugs but not necessarily to the illegal substances on the day he bought the gun.

Prosecutors are not releasing the entire infamous laptop containing details about Hunter Biden's life, but are presenting some parts. Noreika ruled that Hunter Biden's team could question the laptop's aspects in front of the jury. The laptop, which leaked in 2020 just before the presidential election, was decried as Russian disinformation by 51 former intelligence officials.

Hunter Biden's defense attorneys asked the court to block certain salacious details of his life

Hunter Biden's defense team requested in court filings on Friday morning, May 24, that some highly publicized aspects of his life be excluded from the jury's view in order to reduce the "significant risk of unfair prejudice."

Hunter Biden requested that the court "exclude reference to his discharge from the Navy and the child support proceedings in Arkansas" in what is known as a "motion in limine." This relates to the child he fathered out-of-wedlock with ex-stripper Lunden Roberts, whose daughter is President Biden's grandchild. 

Hunter Biden's attorneys acknowledged that some of the evidence the prosecution wants to present could be important to the case, such as the purchase of the revolver, purported drug purchases, and ATM withdrawals. However, they said that other information such as references to money allegedly spent on "adult entertainment, online chat rooms or escort services" is unrelated to the charges.

"Characterizing or referencing unnecessary salacious details — such as how much things cost, whether they are upscale, or citing expenses concerning collateral alleged sexual conduct unrelated to the charges here — are the exact type of prejudicial, inflammatory evidence that has a tendency to make a conviction more likely because it provokes an emotional response in the jury," the defense argued.

"Accordingly, Mr Biden respectfully requests that this Court grant his Motion in limine to exclude any reference to an ‘extravagant’ or ‘lavish’ lifestyle during periods of his addiction," his lawyers wrote. 

Judge Maryellen Noreika highlighted the things that cannot be discussed about Hunter Biden

Noreika partially concurred, ruling that while the special counsel may not refer to Hunter Biden's "extravagant lifestyle," they may nevertheless present evidence of his high spending. Additionally, Noreika decided that the special counsel could not talk about Hunter Biden's release from the US Navy in 2014 which happened following a cocaine test that came back positive.

Noreika added that Weiss was not allowed to use Hunter Biden's remarks from the day he first entered a guilty plea as leverage in a plea agreement that fell through.

David Weiss' gun indictment

According to Weiss's gun indictment, Hunter Biden bought a Colt Cobra revolver on October 12, 2018, and "knowingly made a false and fictitious written statement, intended and likely to deceive that dealer with respect to a fact material to the lawfulness of the sale of the firearm… certifying he was not an unlawful user of, and addicted to, any stimulant, narcotic drug, and any other controlled substance, when in fact, as he knew, that statement was false and fictitious." 

Hunter Biden is also accused in the indictment of having that firearm for almost a week while it was "shipped and transported in interstate commerce" in spite of his drug addiction.

The maximum sentence for all counts combined could be up to 25 years in prison. A maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release are applicable to each count.

Internet says the whole Hunter Biden case 'is a mess'

Netizens are also both concerned and confused with the ongoing developments concerning the Hunter Biden case. "Seems like the judge is trying to keep the trial focused on the actual charges instead of letting it turn into a circus," tweeted an X user. Another wrote, "Honestly, this whole case is such a mess." "Of course they did but anything goes for Trump," added a third user. 

Another echoed the same, "Salacious evidence only allowed at Trump trials!!!" and one tweeted, "Hes a Biden. Do you folks really think that anything will happen to him." "Of course. Only pics of hunter playing with puppies will be permitted," joked one. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.