Hunter Biden's gun trial prosecutor Derek Hines says 'no one is above the law' in fiery opening statement

WILMINGTON, DELWARE: Following the jury selection on Monday, prosecutors delivered initial statements in Hunter Biden's gun trial on Tuesday, June 4.

Prosecutor Derek Hines began with a fiery opening statement, telling the jury, "No one was above law."

Judge Maryellen Noreika dismisses juror in Hunter Biden's gun trial

The trial began with Judge Maryellen Noreika dismissing one of the 12 jurors as she lived in Milford, Delaware, an hour away from the courthouse, and was jobless. She sent an email overnight explaining her position.

“So, we lost a juror," the judge began on Tuesday.

The juror wasn't expecting to be at the courthouse daily and had managed to get there during the selection process because her dad was off work, reported CNN.

Judge Maryellen Noreika rejects attempts by Hunter Biden to exclude photo evidence from his gun trial

Abbe Lowell, a seasoned defense attorney, who is reportedly known for his "aggressive style," is representing Hunter.

However, before the opening statements began, Judge Noreika rejected several attempts by Hunter to exclude some photos from the trial to be shown to the jury because they contained “circumstantial evidence” of his drug use.

One of the images shows a nude Hunter, but the judge said it only shows him “from the chest up," while the rest of the photo has been redacted.

The trial will also witness contents from Hunter's infamous laptop, which have been shown to the jury as potential evidence questioning his sobriety. 

Judge Noreika said Hunter would be allowed to challenge the authenticity of the messages that will be introduced at the trial.

Hunter Biden 'never used or loaded the gun', per his defense attornies

As the opening statements in the trial began, prosecutor Hine said they were there due to "defendant's lies and choices."

He said that Hunter was addicted to crack and lied on a federal form about his addiction when buying a gun.

“We’re here because of the defendant’s lies and choices,” Hines said. “No one is above the law. It doesn’t matter who you are or what your name is.” 

Prosecutors also showed a picture of Hunter's Colt revolver to the jury. His lawyers previously said in filings that he never used or loaded the gun when he had it for 11 days before his girlfriend threw it away.

Prosecutor Derek Hines says Hunter Biden introduced crack cocaine to then-girlfriend Hallie Biden

During the opening statements, prosecutor Hines said that Hallie Biden, Hunter's then-girlfriend who found and threw his gun away was given “grant of immunity.”

It is to testify about her own past crack cocaine usage. The immunity requires Hallie to testify “truthfully,” Hines said.

Hines said Hallie “had been a drug user too,” after Hunter “introduced” crack cocaine to her. However, Hines said she was clean in October 2018 when she threw away Hunter's gun. 

Prosecutors quote Hunter Biden's memoir describing his 'superpower of finding cracks'

Prosecutors also played portions of Hunter's audiobook from his memoir. He was quoted as describing his “superpower of finding cracks anywhere, anytime.” 

Besides showing pictures of drugs to the jury, Hines also showed an alleged text message from Hunter admitting he was a drug addict. 

“The defendant knew he was an addict,” Hines said, citing one text allegedly from Hunter where he called himself “a liar and a thief” as well as a drug user.  

In ending his opening statement, prosecutor Hines said that while “addiction may not be a choice,” buying a gun is.

Hunter Biden, Hines said, “isn't charged with possessing drugs.”  “We would not be here today if he was just a drug addict,” Hines said.