By LINDSAY WHITEHURST (Associated Press)
Hunter Biden might have to go to trial in Delaware for federal firearms charges in June, while his father is running for reelection.
The tentative trial date was set by U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika during a short phone hearing on Wednesday, but she is still considering defense motions to dismiss the case against the president's son, which could stop the trial.
The trial is scheduled to start on June 3 and could last up to nine days. Another trial on tax charges in California is tentatively set for later that month.
Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, has pleaded not guilty to lying about his drug use in October 2018 when buying a gun, which he kept for about 11 days. He has admitted to an addiction to crack cocaine during that time, but his lawyers claim he didn't break the law and that another nonviolent, first-time offender would not have been charged.
He was indicted after a plea deal that would have resolved the case fell apart in July 2023 when a judge who was supposed to approve it raised a series of questions.
Hunter Biden's lawyers have tried to have the case thrown out, arguing that prosecutors caved to political pressure after the agreement was criticized by Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, as a “sweetheart deal.”
They also argue that immunity provisions from the original deal still apply, a point that defense attorney Abbe Lowell emphasized in court on Wednesday.
Noreika said she hasn’t fully decided how to handle the pending motions to dismiss the case, but wanted to make sure that there would be time for a trial on her calendar.
Prosecutors have said there’s no evidence the case is politically motivated, the evidence against him is “overwhelming” and the immunity deal fell apart with the rest of the plea deal.
Hunter Biden has also pleaded not guilty to separate tax charges in Los Angeles, alleging a four-year scheme to evade paying $1.4 million in taxes while living a lavish lifestyle.
