Hunter Biden gun crime trial sees testimony from FBI agent, an ex-lover and a gun salesman

StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply employee Gordon Cleveland drew laughter from those in court Wednesday as he answered questions under cross-examination from defense attorney Abbe Lowell.

Cleveland, who testified that Hunter Biden filled out the portion of the gun application related to drugs, gave frank responses to Lowell about his interactions with Biden at the gun shop in 2018.

Lowell went through the sequence of the purchase minute detail by minute detail. Cleveland seemed very confident throughout.

The jury diligently listened to Cleveland's testimony, and broke out into chuckles a handful of times during his remarks. Most notably, jurors and others in the courtroom broke out into laughter when Cleveland said, "I like guns and I like cars," when asked how he remembered Hunter was driving a black Cadillac on the day of the gun purchase.

Lowell also asked Cleveland whether he was "familiar with the phrase whale hunter?"

“Yes,” Cleveland said and laughed out loud.

Cleveland said his co-workers gave him that nickname because he could make the big sales. Later, in the same interaction, Cleveland said, “I didn’t do up-sales…” But he also bragged that he could sell two Desert Eagles in a day.

Lowell asked him if he also sold Hunter the ammunition, hinting that he was getting Hunter to buy more products.

Drawing more laughter from those in the room, Cleveland affirmed the sale of the ammunition and added, “What are you gonna do, throw [the gun] at ‘em?”

Fox News' Emma Colton and Jake Gibson contributed to this update

POLITICS

'Like a son': Former top Biden adviser with deep business ties to China spotted inside Hunter Biden gun trial

A former top Biden adviser with deep business ties to China was spotted sitting behind Hunter Biden in the courtroom of his trial on criminal gun charges.

FIRST ON FOX: One of President Biden’s top former advisers, who has been a business partner of a wealthy Chinese businessman with multiple CCP ties for nearly a decade, appeared in the Delaware courtroom with Hunter Biden’s friends and family on Monday to support him during the jury selection process for his gun trial, Fox News Digital confirmed.

Francis "Fran" Person, who served in the Obama administration as an adviser to the elder Biden and a special assistant to President Obama between 2009 and 2014, was spotted sitting with Hunter Biden’s family and friends, which included First lady Jill Biden, his sister, Ashley Biden, his wife, Melissa, among others.

Person, who was described in a 2014 Politico profile piece as the elder Biden’s "confidante" and "like a son to Joe and me," according to Jill Biden, has been close friends with Hunter for over a decade and was often his point of contact in the VP office when Hunter was trying to reach his dad. The elder Biden also praised Person in the profile piece highlighting his departure from the White House to South Carolina, saying, "People know that he has my ear whenever he wants it."

Less than six months after Person’s White House departure in the summer of 2014 Person helped launch Harves Global Entertainment, a Washington, D.C.-based affiliate of the China-based Harves Century Group, a multi-billion dollar real estate development firm.

Person, whose sister worked for Hunter Biden's now-defunct Rosemont Seneca Partners firm before joining Biden's VP office in 2014, frequently emailed with Hunter and his longtime business partner, Eric Schwerin, then-president Rosemont Seneca, about business dealings associated with Harves Entertainment and other D.C.-based Harves affiliates in 2015 and 2016. 

Click here to read more at FoxNews.com.

Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, and his wife Melissa Cohen Biden depart the federal court during his trial on criminal gun charges, in Wilmington, Delaware, on June 5, 2024. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

The third day of Hunter Biden's trial for federal gun charges has concluded.

Court adjourned for the day around 4:30 p.m. ET. Biden departed the courthouse at 4:48 p.m. ET.

First lady Jill Biden was also in attendance for the third day of the trial to support her stepson. She left court at 4:29 p.m. ET.

Several of those who were once close to Biden were called by the prosecution to testify in court Wednesday, including his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle and his ex-girlfriend Zoe Kestan.

Buhle said during Wednesday's testimony she discovered Biden was using drugs when they were married and that she found a crack pipe on an ashtray on the side porch of their D.C. home on July 3, 2015.

Buhle also said when Biden was using he was “not himself” and “angry, short tempered, and acting in ways he didn’t when he was sober.” She also said he was “smoking crack the day after our anniversary.”

Kestan testified that Biden once told her that he would "always be an addict." She also testified under immunity that Biden would smoke crack "every 20 minutes" during a 2018 trip.

Others who testified Wednesday included FBI special agent Erika Jensen and StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply employee Gordon Cleveland, who testified that Hunter Biden filled out the portion of the gun application related to drugs.

Cleveland was under cross-examination at the end of court Wednesday and is expected to retake the stand on Thursday.

After the jury had been dismissed, prosecutor Derek Hines told Judge Maryellen Noreika that the prosecution only has six more witnesses and that they are short, adding that he thought the prosecution might be able to wrap up its case tomorrow. At that point, he wants a witness list from Abbe Lowell.

Hallie Biden, Biden's sister-in-law, is among several potential witnesses who may be called by the prosecution to testify. The pair were in a romantic relationship in 2018.

Hallie Biden observed Hunter Biden using drugs on multiple occasions, according to prosecutors, and she and her children discovered drug paraphernalia and drugs in his possession when they searched his bags, backpacks and vehicle in an effort to help him get sober.

Fox News' David Spunt contributed to this update

StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply employee Gordon Cleveland took the witness stand Wednesday and was asked by the prosecution to walk them through the day Hunter Biden purchased a firearm, October 12, 2018.

Cleveland said he saw Hunter pull up in the black Cadillac owned by Joe Biden and greet him without knowing who Hunter Biden was at the time.

Cleveland said that Hunter Biden came in and said he was looking for a firearm. When he asked specifics Hunter said he was looking for a revolver.

After looking through the store with Cleveland, Hunter eventually settled on a Colt Cobra, with customized wood grips

The prosecution, with permission of marshals, brought the actual gun out to display

Derek Hines, the prosecutor, brought the gun up to Cleveland and asked him to identify the make and read off the serial number

Mr. Hines then proceeded to show and display the Colt Cobra to the jury.

Fox News' James Levinson contributed to this update.

StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply employee Gordon Cleveland has taken the stand.

The prosecution had indicated they planned to call on Cleveland, an employee of StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply owner Ronald Palimere, who is believed to be the employee who sold Hunter Biden the gun at the center of the case.

StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply is the Delaware store where Biden allegedly purchased the gun, a purchase prosecutors allege was made possible by Biden lying on a background check about his drug use during the purchase process.

Prosecutors are expected to question both Palimere and Cleveland about how and when the federal gun purchase form was filled out by Biden.

Cleveland's testimony comes on the third day of the trial, with the prosecution already calling FBI Agent Erica Jensen, Biden ex-girlfriend Zoe Kestan, and Biden's ex-wife Kathleen Buhle.

Biden faces 25 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Zoe Kestan, former girlfriend of Hunter Biden, departs the federal court after testifying at the president's son's trial. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Zoe Kestan, ex-girlfirend of Hunter Biden, testified that Hunter once told her that he would "always be an addict."

In September 2018, after spending time at their time at his house in Malibu, Kestan said she departed and did not see him again until mid November 2018. They were stayed in Massachusetts, and ended up in Providence, Rhode Island. Hunter was also looking for drugs. specifically cocaine of the time, Kestan testified. According to her, Hunter also said he was on a ketamine treatment for addiction.

November 20, 2018 was the last time they ever saw each in person .

Prosecution ended its line of questioning with a follow up text message that Hunter sent a few weeks later to Zoe partially that read. “I can be sober but I’ll always be an addict”.

Kestan read that aloud in the court.

Immediately after, defense attorney Abbe Lowell began cross-examination and points out that from this time period, -- in late September through November -- Kestan had no contact with Hunter Biden and was not aware of what he was doing, his state of mind or anything else.

That timeframe covers the time of the gun purchase.

Fox News' James Levinson contributed to this update.

Zoe Kestan, Hunter Biden's ex-girlfriend, testified Wednesday under immunity about his efforts to overcome his drug addiction in 2018.

Kestan testified that the two discussed getting Hunter clean while they were staying at a Four Seasons Hotel. She said he talked about a drug called Combo, venom from a frog that would make you “purge,” which he hoped would help his addiction.

She said that two weeks later, they stayed at a hotel in Midtown Manhattan for about 10 days, where Hunter was trying Combo and had burns on his arm.

“I thought it worked," she told the court, but added that within 20 minutes he was smoking crack again.

Kestan testified that while staying at a separate hotel called The Mercer at a later date, she told Hunter she might move to California to launch a business.

"I love California … I think I could get sober if I go out there with you," Hunter said, according to her testimony.

She later added that it seemed his plan to get sober "had gone out the window" when his drug habit continued.

Court continued Wednesday afternoon in the federal gun crime trial against the president's son, Hunter Biden, after a brief lunch break.

Before the break, Hunter's ex-girlfriend Zoe Kestan took the stand. She's expected to resume her testimony now that court has returned.

Fox News' Aubrie Spady and James Levinson contributed to this update

Fox News' Rich Edson provides updates from Hunter Biden's ongoing federal trial. 'Outnumbered' panelists react.

Edson detailed the case the prosecution has made so far, arguing that Biden was a drug user at the time he bought the gun and entering into evidence excerpts from his own book, which detailed his drug use.

The prosecution also entered Biden's laptop into evidence, which featured pictures of Biden next to cocaine.

Kathleen Buhle took the stand, testifying that she found a crack pipe in 2015 but said she had been suspicious before that since Biden had been kicked out of the Navy for cocaine use.S

She also testified that she would not let her children drive Biden's car without checking it for drugs.

Edson also noted that First Lady Jill Biden spent another morning in the court room in support of her stepson, though she has since departed after the morning session.

Hunter Biden waves as stripper ex-girlfriend testifies at his gun trial (Credit: William J. Hennessy Jr)

Zoe Kestan, Hunter Biden's ex-girlfriend, testified Wednesday under immunity that Biden would smoke crack "every 20 minutes" during a 2018 trip.

Kestan said she met Biden in December 2017 while working at a gentleman's club. It was late at night and she was offered to do one more private, 30-minute dance. She said she went into the room with another dancer and Biden was already in there, but she noted she didn't not know who he was at the time. Kestan said there was no music playing in the club since it was late, so Hunter pulled out his phone and started playing music. Kestan said they went into another room and Hunter pulled out a pipe and started smoking. She described it as "a type of pipe I'd never seen before," having a weird smell, and that she "assumed it to be crack cocaine." Kestan said Hunter was also drinking alcohol.

Kestan said after he started smoking that "he was the same charming person." She described Hunter as "incredibly charming" and "charismatic" during this interaction. Hunter proceeded to ask her to come back to his hotel room with him, to which she declined, but gave him her phone number. She said Hunter texted her the address of where he was staying, but she did not respond.

She said it was a week later that she was online and realized the man from the gentleman's club was Hunter Biden.

Kestan's next interaction with Hunter came around January 2018. Kestan said one of her friends was with Hunter at the SoHo Grand and told her to join them, so she went. Kestan said there was loud rock music playing upon entering the hotel room and she saw Hunter "smoking crack within the first 10 or 15 minutes" of her arrival. The three individuals - Hunter, Kestan, and another unnamed woman - hung out all day and went to dinner. The unnamed woman left, but Kestan stayed. Kestan said she stayed at the hotel with Hunter for five days.

During the five-day period, Kestan said that Hunter was smoking crack "every 20 minutes." Kestan added that when they would go out in public or to an event, Hunter would smoke crack "once an hour." One night, she said Hunter left for a business dinner. Kestan said Hunter's demeanor during this time was "charming" and that she "never saw an immediate change in his behavior" while he was smoking crack. She also said she "felt" for him because she knew people with drug addictions.

Kestan testified to hanging out with Biden at other points in 2018, including a meet-up at Atlantic City in February 2018.

Fox News' Aubrie Spady contributed to this update

Court was dismissed for lunch Wednesday afternoon in the federal gun crime trial against the president's son, Hunter Biden.

Before the break, Hunter's ex-girlfriend Zoe Kestan took the stand. She's expected to resume the witness stand when the court returns later this afternoon.

Fox News' Aubrie Spady and James Levinson contributed to this update

Hunter Biden's ex-girlfriend, Zoe Kestan, has taken the stand.

Kestan's testimony comes after Kathleen Buhle, Biden's ex-wife, was questioned by prosecutors and the defense.

Buhle said during Wednesday's testimony she discovered Biden was using drugs when they were married and that she found a crack pipe on an ashtray on the side porch of their D.C. home on July 3, 2015.

Buhle said when Hunter was using he was “not himself” and “angry, short tempered, and acting in ways he didn’t when he was sober.” She also said he was “smoking crack the day after our anniversary.”

Fox News' Aubrie Spady and James Levinson contributed to this update

Hunter Biden's ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, said during Wednesday's testimony she discovered Hunter Biden was using drugs when they were married and that she found a crack pipe on an ashtray on the side porch of their D.C. home on July 3, 2015. 

She asked him about the pipe, to which he said he “acknowledged smoking crack."

Buhle said, however, that she was suspicious he was using drugs ahead of finding the crackpipe because she suspected Hunter was “kicked out of the Navy for testing positive for cocaine.”

She then recalled feeling “worried” and “scared” for him. 

Buhle said when Hunter was using he was “not himself” and “angry, short tempered, and acting in ways he didn’t when he was sober.”

She also said he was “smoking crack the day after our anniversary.”

Buhle said she found a “broken pipe” “white powder” and “white crystals” in his car. She said from 2015 to 2019 she would search his car for drugs when he would lend his car to her daughters because “she wanted to make sure they weren’t driving with drugs.” 

Wise asked if she would confirm she was checking his car for drugs in 2018, she said, “yes.”

Wise asked if Hunter hid the drug use from family and friends, to which Buhle responded, "yes."

Buhle was called to the stand and was sworn in at 11:34 am. Prosecutor Leo Wise is doing the questioning. 

Biden and Buhle were married from 1993 to 2017. Buhle has spoken publicly about Biden's drug addiction and many affairs, including his sister-in-law and widow of his late brother, Beau, Hallie Biden, who is also a witness for the prosecution.

Fox News' Aubrie Spady and Kyle Morris contributed to this report.

Kathleen Buhle, the ex-wife of Hunter Biden, at the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building on June 04, 2024, in Wilmington, Delaware. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Kathleen Buhle, Hunter Biden's ex-wife, has taken the stand as the prosecution's second witness following a brief break by the court on Wednesday.

Biden and Buhle were married from 1993 to 2017. Buhle has spoken publicly about Biden's drug addiction and many affairs, including his sister-in-law and widow of his late brother, Beau, Hallie Biden, who is also a witness for the prosecution.

Buhle detailed difficulties in her marriage to Biden in a 2022 memoir titled, "If We Break: A Memoir of Marriage, Addiction, and Healing."

Prosecutors said that throughout 2018, Buhl would search Biden's car because "she did not want their children in a vehicle with drugs." She found drugs or drug paraphernalia about a dozen times, according to court documents. A 2018 text message exchange with Biden said, "I also found a few crack pipes. I took them out because our daughter was driving the car," according to prosecutors.

Fox News' Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.

After the defense's cross-examination of FBI special agent Erika Jensen concluded Wednesday, she was asked by prosecutors during redirect whether the contents of Hunter Biden's laptop had been tampered with.

Prosecutor Derek Hines began the redirect of Jensen by asking her if she had seen any evidence of tampering on Biden's laptop when the FBI obtained it. She responded, “No."

Hines also went to Biden's bank records from August 2018 and showed that they were not cash payments, but visa check card payments to the rehab facility, Airbnb, and to Sober Companion.

Additionally, Hines reviewed liquor store receipts. There were eight separate transactions from Oct. 1 to Oct. 30, 2018. They were all check cards, not cash.

Hunter Biden attorney Abbe Lowell previously suggested that some of the cash from the withdrawals Jensen tried to link to the October 2018 gun purchase were spent by Biden on rehab, rent, and tuition for his daughter. He insisted the money was withdrawn for lots of reasons.

Following the redirect of Jensen, court took a short break.

Fox News' Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.

The defense team attempted to throw cold water on the prosecution's suggestion that Hunter Biden's cash withdrawals were tied to alleged crimes, such as the drugs and gun purchase.

While questioning FBI special agent Erika Jensen under cross-examination, defense attorney Abbe Lowell went back to the bank records and transactions of the government that were introduced yesterday.

Lowell suggested that some of the cash from the withdrawals Jensen tried to link to the October 2018 gun purchase were spent by Biden on rehab, rent, and tuition for his daughter. He insisted the money was withdrawn for lots of reasons.

Jensen previously testified that Biden withdrew cash on October 12, 2018, to pay for the gun.

Lowell then returned to the ATF form about the gun purchase at the center of the case. They went through the handwriting on the form, noticing distinctions. Lowell asked Jensen if she was actually there observing who actually checked the boxes, etc. She responded she wasn't. Jensen also made clear said that she is not handwriting expert.

One notable distinction was that there were slashes on the zeros in some parts of the form but not other parts Biden would have filled out.

Fox News' James Levinson contributed to this update.

Hunter Biden's defense team attempted to cast doubt on Biden's references to drugs in text messages around the time of the purchase of the gun.

In cross examination of FBI Agent Erika Jensen, the defense pointed to two texts from October 13 and 14, 2018, the first and second day following the gun purchase, in which Biden texted Hallie Biden that he was "waiting for a dealer named Mookie." The defense asks Jensen whether she knows where Biden was when the message was sent or if she knows Mookie exists, garnering a response of "no" from Jensen on both questions.

The defense then turns to the October 14 text in which Biden tells Hallie Biden he was :sleeping on a car smoking crack." The defense asks Jensen whether she knows where Biden was when he sent that message, garnering another "no" response from Jensen.

The defense then points to all text messages between October 8th and October 24th, 2018, and asks Jensen whether there were any other references to drugs in this time period, with Jensen once again responding with "no."

Fox News' Aubrie Spady contributed to this update

Abbe Lowell arrives at court. Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Hunter Biden's attorney Abe Lowell began his cross-examination of FBI agent Erika Jensen by going back to Hunter Biden's memoir, "Beautiful Things".

Lowell asked Jensen about how she noted the drug binges that he talked about in chapter 7, 8 and nine from his period in 2016 to 2019 and how she noted every instance of a drug binge during this period

Lowell then asked if she noted in the book of a similar drug binge when he returned it to the East Coast in the fall of 2018 something a kin to needing to be on crack, or searching for drugs constantly. This was during the time of gun purchase.

FBI agent Jensen says she couldn't recall any similar binges that she noted in the book during this time period.

Lowell then went to proceed to go through the bank records that the government introduced yesterday as exhibits

In particular, he noted during the month of October 2018, that Hunter made eight purchases at liquor stores or alcohol related grocery stores during that time. Lowell seems to be trying to indicate that Hunter Biden was using alcohol at the time when the decision to purchase the gun was made.

Lowell noted on Tuesday that the gun application form Biden is accused of lying on had a section to declare addiction to drugs, but not alcohol.Jill Biden is in court wearing her bright pink suit is sitting right behind Hunter. Hunter's current wife, Melissa Cohen is sitting to her right.

Hunter has a similar demeanor as he had yesterday. He goes switches between looking the screen in front of him to looking at Lowell, who is questioning the witness, to staring straight ahead.

Fox News' James Levinson contributed to this update.

FBI Special Agent Erika Jensen is being cross-examined by Hunter Biden's defense lawyer Abbe Lowell for the second day on Wednesday.

First Lady Jill Biden is present, sitting in the front row.

Fox News' Jake Gibson contributed to this update.

Hunter Biden and his wife, Melissa (Reuters)

Hunter Biden arrived to the Delaware courthouse for day three of his federal gun crime trial on Wednesday.

Biden walked into the courthouse at roughly 8:40 a.m. alongside his wife and his attorney, Abbe Lowell. First Lady Jill Biden arrived and entered the courthouse shortly after her step son.

Wednesday's proceedings will begin with the cross examination of FBI Agent Erica Jensen, who testified on Tuesday about Biden's drug addiction.

Biden faces charges of making false statements in the purchase of a firearm; making a false statement related to information required to be kept by a licensed firearm dealer; and one count of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

With all counts combined, the total maximum prison time for the charges could be up to 25 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. 

"The View" co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin criticized the media on Tuesday for their coverage of the Donald Trump and Hunter Biden trials, arguing that it was distracting Americans from issues they really care about.

"I am frustrated, that this election cycle, the media coverage feels like it’s trial this, conviction this, this trial, him walking into the courtroom. Why aren’t we talking about what people care about, their ability to afford utilities this summer, the economy, addressing border security? It just becomes this convoluted distraction that I worry is making people tune out the news and not wanting to be engaged politically," Griffin said. 

Griffin referred to both Trump, who was found guilty by a Manhattan jury on Thursday, and Hunter Biden, who is facing three felony firearm offenses regarding the 2018 purchase of a .38 revolver from a gun shop in Delaware.

Co-host Joy Behar jumped in and argued that people tune out when the media talks about the accomplishments of President Biden's administration. 

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News' Hanna Panreck

President Biden issued a statement Monday as his son's trial kicked off, with the president noting that he is "also a dad" in addition to his title of president and that he and his wife, Jill Biden, love their son and "are so proud of the man he is today."

"Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us," the president said of his son, Hunter Biden, Monday morning. "A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean."

The president said that he typically would not comment on pending federal cases in his position, but noted that he has "boundless love for" his son and wanted to show "confidence in him, and respect for his strength."

"Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support," the president said.

On Tuesday morning, prosecutors in Hunter Biden's gun crime trial showed a list of witnesses who may be called to testify. Here is who they are:

Kathleen Buhle:

Biden and Kathleen Buhle were married from 1993 to 2017. Buhle has spoken publicly about Biden's drug addiction and many affairs, including his sister-in-law and widow of his late brother, Beau, Hallie Biden, who is also a witness for the prosecution. Buhle detailed difficulties in her marriage to Biden in a 2022 memoir titled, "IF We Break: A Memoir of Marriage, Addiction, and Healing." 

Prosecutors said that throughout 2018, Buhl would search Biden's car because "she did not want their children in a vehicle with drugs." She found drugs or drug paraphernalia about a dozen times, according to court documents. A 2018 text message exchange with Biden said, "I also found a few crack pipes. I took them out because our daughter was driving the car," according to prosecutors.

Zoe Kestan:

Zoe Kestan is another former romantic partner of Biden. Prosecutors hope Kestan will highlight the first son's former use of crack cocaine, "every 20 minutes except when he slept." They allege Kestan visited Biden in Massachusetts when he was in rehab in the fall of 2018, after he purchased his gun, and observed him using drugs.

Hallie Biden:

Prosecutors will also call Biden's sister-in-law, Hallie Biden, to testify about his drug use. The pair were in a romantic relationship in 2018. Hallie Biden observed Hunter using drugs on multiple occasions, according to prosecutors, and she and her children discovered drug paraphernalia and drugs in his possession when they searched his bags, backpacks and vehicle in an effort to help him get sober.

Hallie Biden, identified as Witness 3, "observed that the defendant frequently lost phones and changed phones, which explains gaps in time where there are no messages, and she also had various text message exchanges with the defendant," prosecutors said.

Gordon Cleveland:

Gordon Cleveland is an employee of Starquest Shooters and Survival Supply in Wilmington, Delaware, who sold Biden a gun. He will be called to testify that Biden purchased a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver, a HKS Speedloader for the .38 special and 25 rounds of Hornady "American Gunner" ammunition. 

Cleveland is expected to tell jurors that Biden completed ATF Form 4473, federally required background check paperwork, which asked whether he was an unlawful user of, or addicted to, any depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance, and that Biden lied and answered, "no." If Biden had answered, "yes," the gun seller could not have sold him a gun, prosecutors said.

Delaware State Police Cpl. Joshua Marley

Delaware State Police Senior Cpl. Joshua Marley will testify about his response to an incident at Janssen's Market, Biden's admissions and about evidence recovered, prosecutors said. 

The gun Biden purchased was discovered in a trash can outside Janssen's Market, a grocery store in Greenville, Delaware, in 2018. According to a police report, Hallie Biden allegedly took Hunter's gun and threw it in a trash can behind the store, which was located across the street from a high school. She later returned and found the gun missing, Politico reported.

Read the full article by Fox News' Chris Pandolfo

The first day of Hunter Biden’s gun trial kicked off Monday with jury selection, which the court completed ahead of the opening statements on Tuesday.

Each jury member admitted to knowing someone who has been or currently experiences substance abuse and addiction – and almost every potential juror has said they heard about the Hunter Biden case in the news.

The court managed to select a full, 12-member jury, along with four alternates, all sworn in before leaving for the day. 

Judge Maryellen Noreika made clear that jurors must not talk about the case and must keep an open mind throughout the proceedings.

Day two kicked off with opening statements from the prosecution and defense, followed by the prosecution calling their first witness, an FBI agent.

The defense will cross examine the agent on Wednesday.

Special Counsel David Weiss has been investigating Hunter Biden since 2018. Weiss, at the time, was U.S. Attorney for Delaware. 

Attorney General Merrick Garland gave Weiss special counsel status in August 2023. 

For the trial of the first son in Delaware, federal prosecutors Leo Wise and Derek Hines are present.  Wise is the principal senior assistant special counsel and Hines is the senior assistant special counsel.

Jurors heard testimony and opening statements for more than seven hours on Tuesday, including Biden’s defense team setting the stage that his purchase of a Cobra Colt .38 revolver in October 2018 was a hurried purchase promoted by employees at the gun shop – StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply in Wilmington – who wanted to make a sale. Lowell continued in his opening remarks that the firearm Biden purchased was a "small gun" that was never used in the 11 days Biden had it in his possession. 

"No one is above the law," argued prosecutors, who told the jury that during the trial they will present evidence showing Biden was a crack cocaine addict who lied on a federal gun form in order to purchase the firearm.

U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware Judge Maryellen Noreika is presiding over the federal gun charges trial of Hunter Biden.

Noreika was nominated by former President Trump in December 2017 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in August 2018.

Noreika studied at Lehigh University for her undergraduate degree; Columbia University for her graduate master’s degree; and received her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Noreika previously worked in private practice in Wilmington, Del.

Last summer, she presided over the initial hearing for the first son, when his plea deal fell apart. 

Noreika did not accept the plea agreement, questioning the constitutionality — specifically the diversion clause and the immunity Hunter Biden would receive.

Ultimately, Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty because Noreika could not accept the plea deal as it was constructed. 

Noreika, at the time, repeatedly expressed her concerns about the constitutionality of the diversion deal related to the felony gun charge, specifying that the main issue with the agreement was that if Hunter Biden breached the deal, the judge would need to make a finding of fact on the matter before the government could bring charges.

First son Hunter Biden's criminal trial kicked off in earnest on Tuesday, beginning with opening statements before hearing from the case’s first witness, a special agent with the FBI.

Jurors heard testimony and opening statements for more than seven hours on Tuesday, including Biden’s defense team setting the stage that his purchase of a Cobra Colt .38 revolver in October 2018 was a hurried purchase promoted by employees at the gun shop – StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply in Wilmington – who wanted to make a sale. Lowell continued in his opening remarks that the firearm Biden purchased was a "small gun" that was never used in the 11 days Biden had it in his possession. 

"No one is above the law," argued prosecutors, who told the jury that during the trial they will present evidence showing Biden was a crack cocaine addict who lied on a federal gun form in order to purchase the firearm. 

Biden’s 2021 memoir "Beautiful Things" took center stage Tuesday as prosecutors played excerpts from Biden’s audiobook, which is narrated by Biden, in the courtroom. The excerpts detailed anecdotes such as how he linked up with a female drug dealer he nicknamed "Bicycles" who sold him crack cocaine on the streets of Washington, D.C., how he could serve as a "crack daddy" to dealers due to his spiraling addiction, and how he took cocaine from a stranger in a hotel bathroom in Monte Carlo. 

Though the excerpts from the book contained salacious details, jurors for the case appeared to lose interest at points while the prosecution team played roughly an hour of audiobook excerpts. Jurors were seen yawning, placing their heads in their hands, and even two jurors throughout the day appeared to close their eyes briefly as testimony continued. 

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Emma Colton.