Hunter Biden Declines to Testify in Gun Case, Resting Defense

Hunter Biden's defense team has announced that he will not take the stand in his federal gun trial, despite previous indications that he might. The decision comes after the prosecution completed its case, and the defense rested without calling any witnesses.

In a surprising turn of events, Hunter Biden has decided not to testify in his own defense in his federal gun crime trial. The announcement came on Monday morning, as the prosecution wound down its case and the defense prepared to present its evidence.

Defense attorney Abbe Lowell informed the judge and jury that "Mr. Biden rests his case." The prosecution had no further witnesses to call, and the judge dismissed the panel for the day.

Hunter Biden is facing charges of lying on a federal firearm form when he purchased a handgun in 2018. Specifically, he is accused of falsely stating that he was not an unlawful user of controlled substances.

The defense has acknowledged Biden's history of addiction, but maintains that he did not consider himself a user at the time of the gun purchase. They have argued that the government's case is based on mere semantics and that Biden's actions did not amount to a crime.

The prosecution, on the other hand, has presented evidence that Biden was indeed an unlawful user of controlled substances at the time he purchased the gun. They have also argued that he lied on the form to avoid being prohibited from buying a firearm.

The decision not to testify is a major setback for the defense. Taking the stand would have given Biden an opportunity to explain his actions and present his own account of events. However, it also would have exposed him to cross-examination by the prosecution, which could have damaged his credibility.

Legal experts say that the decision not to testify is a gamble. It is possible that the jury will be more inclined to believe the prosecution's case if they do not hear from Biden himself. However, it is also possible that the jury will view his absence as a sign of confidence and will be more likely to acquit him.

The trial is now in its closing stages, and the jury is expected to begin deliberations soon. If convicted, Biden faces up to 25 years in prison.

In a statement released last week, President Biden said that he and his wife, Jill, "love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today." He added that Hunter's "resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us."

The trial has been closely watched by the media and the public, as it is the first time in U.S. history that a sitting president's child has been on trial.