Hunter Biden loses bid to dismiss gun charges, clearing way for June
trial
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[May 10, 2024]
By Tom Hals
WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) -A federal appeals court panel rejected a
bid by U.S. President Joe Biden's son to dismiss criminal gun charges,
clearing the way for Hunter Biden's June 3 trial, a first for the child
of a sitting president.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
in Philadelphia said Hunter Biden could not appeal because the lower
court had not yet entered a final judgment in the case. |
![](../images/051024PIX/news_v41.jpg)
Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, departs the House Rayburn
Office Building following a surprise appearance at a House Oversight
Committee markup and meeting to vote on whether to hold Biden in
contempt of Congress for failing to respond to a request to testify to
the House last month, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 10,
2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo |
Shortly after the appeals court ruled, U.S. District Judge
Maryellen Noreika ordered the trial of up to six days to begin
June 3 in Wilmington, Delaware.
Hunter Biden's legal team said they will ask the full appeals
court in Philadelphia to review the panel's decision.
"In reviewing the panel’s decision, we believe the issues
involved are too important and further review of our request is
appropriate," said a statement by Abbe Lowell, an attorney for
Hunter Biden.
Hunter Biden was appealing orders issued last month by Noreika.
The judge denied motions to dismiss two counts accusing Hunter
Biden of lying about using illegal narcotics when he purchased a
Colt Cobra handgun in 2018 and a third count of illegally
possessing that weapon.
Hunter Biden's legal team had argued that the lower trial court
had to wait for the federal appeals court to rule before it
could push ahead with a trial.
Hunter Biden faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison on
the gun charges.
The trial will come as Joe Biden is ramping up his campaign for
reelection.
The Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, is
currently on criminal trial in New York, where he is accused of
illegally covering up a $130,000 payment to a porn star to keep
her quiet in the run-up to the 2016 election.
Hunter Biden is also facing criminal tax charges in California.
(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Bill
Berkrot)
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