TRANSCRIPT
United States President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, has been convicted of three felony charges related to lying about his drug use when illegally buying a gun.
The maximum prison term for his crimes, which will depend on the Judge Maryellen Noreika, is 25 years.
Legal experts say time behind bars is unlikely given 54-year-old Hunter Biden is a first-time and non-violent offender.
Joe Biden has released a statement following the jury's decision saying he will respect the legal process and support his son throughout his ordeal.
US Special Counsel David Weiss, who brought the case to the US Department of Justice, has spoken to media shortly after the verdict was announced.
"While there has been much testimony about the defendant's abuse of drugs and alcohol, ultimately this case was not just about addiction, a disease that haunts families across the United States, including Hunter Biden's family. This case was about the illegal choices the defendant made while in the throes of addiction. His choice to lie on a government form when he bought a gun. And the choice to then possess that gun."
Mr Weiss, who was appointed by former US President Donald Trump, has also charged Hunter Biden with three felony and six misdemeanour tax offences in California.
He is alleging the US President's son failed to pay $2.1 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019 while spending millions on drugs, escorts, exotic cars and other high-ticket items.
Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to those charges and the case is scheduled to go to trial on September 5th in Los Angeles.
House Republicans have described the guilty verdict as a first step towards holding the Biden family accountable for their crimes.
Republican member Rich McCormick says he is interested to see the sentencing decision.
“I'll be very curious to see when they, when they schedule the, the actual, sentencing. That will be interesting because then you get to see if they're going to do it before or after it impacts Joe Biden if he gives him a pardon. So, I would like to see that, because I think they'll be more telling about the Department of Justice and what we think is going to actually happen.”
The judge has set no specific date for Mr Hunter Biden's sentencing but added the timeline is usually 120 days from the verdict.
That would place it no later than a month before the November 5th US presidential election.
Mr Hunter Biden is set to file an appeal.
Victoria Nourse, a former counsel to Joe Biden when he was vice-president, says the jury's decision will not cause reactions from the general public and will reinforce their opinion of the US law system.
“Well, I'm sure it's very sad for his family and sad for Hunter Biden. Many people have known individuals who have suffered from addiction and I think people can understand that. On the other hand, I think it is a good day for the rule of law. We don't have people outside the courtroom saying, ‘Burn it down.’ We don't have people saying, you know, democracy is at an end, that it's part of a racket. And our institutions are strong."
The 12-member jury, made up of six women and six men, reached their unanimous verdict after just three hours of consultation.
They made their decision after viewing text messages sent from Mr Hunter Biden's phone and testimonies from his sister-in-law, ex-wife and former partner.
They were also shown images and bank records that revealed his struggle with drug addiction.
Speaking to US news outlet 13News Now, one member of the jury has said the name of Mr Hunter Biden's father never came into play during their discussions.
"My mind just wasn't focused on that, that his father was the President of the United States. That didn't affect me or sway me one bit."
The defence attempted to portray an image of Mr Hunter Biden as being in good health during the time of the gun purchase by calling his daughter Naomi to testify.
Naomi Biden claimed she had spoken to her father before and after the date that he filed to buy the firearm, and said he appeared to be well.
After the announcement of the verdict, Mr Hunter Biden nodded slightly but appeared to be otherwise unaffected.
Public reaction in the US shows people believe this was a fair decision.
New Jersey local council member Robert Pacicco says all signs pointed towards Mr Hunter Biden being guilty.
"When it comes to Joe Biden's son, was there an opportunity to pursue this case? Maybe beyond what normally would have occurred? Maybe so, because of what's been going on on both sides of the political aisle. Was Hunter Biden guilty? Based on what I read, what I saw. Sure, he was guilty."
Former US President and Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump has dismissed the jury's decision, labelling it a distraction from the real crimes.
Mr Trump has accused Joe Biden and his family of profiting from the war in Ukraine.
