A law enforcement official told NBC News that Hunter Biden will attend a status hearing Friday ahead of his trial on gun charges next month.
The hearings, scheduled for noon, come ahead of the trial’s expected June 3 start date. A federal appeals court earlier this week Hunter denied Biden’s request to adjourn the trial.
At the hearing, Hunter Biden’s attorneys and prosecutors will have an opportunity to discuss what evidence they plan to present at trial, as well as which witnesses they plan to call to testify. There will also be an opportunity to discuss the jury selection process and jury instructions and to argue any pending motions before trial. The hearing is expected to last approximately 90 minutes.
Judge Maryellen Noreika still has to rule on pending motions from both sides. The government wants to admit, for example, part of Hunter Biden’s book “Pretty Things” and dozens of Biden’s messages via text and WhatsApp to drug dealers, family members and friends. Prosecutors also want to rule out claims by Hunter Biden’s defense team that this was “vindictive and selective prosecution” or that the indictment was “related to or part of some sort of Russian malign election influence campaign.”
On the other hand, Biden’s lawyers want to exclude any references to his pending tax case in California or child support proceedings in Arkansas. They want to exclude any reference to Biden’s dismissal from the Navy and any testimony that Biden’s original plea deal collapsed at his July 26, 2023 hearing. They also want to exclude “any reference to his alleged ‘extravagant lifestyle'”.
The president’s son was 54 years old In September of last year, charges were brought on three counts it was related to possession of a weapon while using drugs. He pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors accused Biden of failing to accurately fill out a form in October 2018 stating that he had not used illegal drugs when he purchased the Colt Cobra revolver. Prosecutors also alleged that he was in possession of a firearm while using drugs.
Hunter Biden also faces tax charges in California and a federal judge on Wednesday granted the petition of the president’s son regarding the postponement of the trial from the original date of June 20 to September 5. He pleaded not guilty in this case either.
Delaware US attorney and Trump appointee David Weiss led the investigation into Hunter Biden. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Weiss as special counsel in August 2023.
Dareh Gregorian contributed.