Key family players at Hunter Biden's gun trial

5 months ago 20
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Reuters First Lady Jill Biden arrives at the federal court on the opening day of trial of Hunter BidenReuters

US first lady Jill Biden has been a daily presence at Hunter Biden's criminal trial in Delaware

In court this week, multiple members of the Biden clan have joined Hunter Biden as his gun possession trial plays out in a Delaware courtroom.

The high-profile trial includes airing details of family turmoil caused by Mr Biden's drug addiction.

And it is unfolding as his father, US President Joe Biden, is in the midst of a tough race for re-election.

Some family members are potential witnesses, but others are in the courtroom to show public support for Mr Biden, 54, the first child of a sitting president to be a criminal defendant.

Joe Biden's youngest son is facing three felony firearms charges relating to his purchase of a gun while allegedly using narcotics.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Here are the Biden family members who have been in court this week:

Jill Biden

President Biden has stayed away from the trial playing out in Wilmington, but released a statement expressing support for his son, saying he has “boundless love" for him.

First lady Jill Biden, however, has been a constant presence.

Jill Biden married the president in 1977 after his first wife, Hunter Biden’s mother, died in a 1972 car accident.

The first lady is often seated in the first row behind Mr Biden, alongside his wife Melissa Cohen Biden

Jill and Hunter Biden have embraced during breaks in court proceedings.

EFE/REX Hunter Biden (L), son of US President Joe Biden, and his wife Melissa Cohen Biden (R) arrive to the US Federal District Court in WilmingtonEFE/REX

Melissa Cohen Biden has been a daily presence in court

Melissa Cohen Biden

Melissa Cohen Biden is Mr Biden's second wife

She has been described by Mr Biden as his "protector" and has proven herself a fierce supporter of her husband during the trial.

The pair, who share a 4-year-old son named Beau, are often seen holding hands as they enter and leave the courthouse.

Early in the week she angrily confronted a former Trump aide at the courthouse during a break in proceedings, launching into a profanity-laced tirade at Garrett Ziegler.

Mr Ziegler has circulated embarrassing messages and images from a laptop that once belonged to her husband, who is suing him.

She also was seen shaking her head in disapproval at some witness testimony.

Reuters Hunter Biden's former wife, Kathleen Buhle departs the federal courthouse after taking the stand during the trial of Hunter BidenReuters

Kathleen Buhle testified about finding out about her ex-husband's drug use in 2015

Kathleen Buhle

Kathleen Buhle was married to Mr Biden between 1993 and 2017, and has three daughters with him.

While testifying at trial, she described how she learned of her former husband's drug use in 2015 when she found a crack pipe in an ashtray.

In her brief testimony on Wednesday, Ms Buhle spoke about searching her then-husband's car for drugs and drug paraphernalia, as well as his resistance at the time to entering a rehabilitation facility.

Hallie Biden

Hallie Biden is also on the prosecution’s list of witnesses.

She is the widow of Mr Biden’s older brother, Beau, who died in 2015 from brain cancer.

She later became romantically involved with Hunter Biden, and was the person who discarded the handgun he bought in October 2018.

She is expected to testify on Thursday about Mr Biden's drug use.

The federal prosecutor in the case revealed to jurors this week that she was introduced to crack cocaine by Mr Biden.

Reuters  Ashley Biden outside court Reuters

Hunter Biden's sister Ashley Biden was in court early in the proceedings

Ashley Biden

Ashley Biden showed up to court for the first two days of her brother's trial.

On Tuesday, she was seen wiping away tears as the court heard audiobook recordings of his memoir, Beautiful Things, that detailed past drug use.

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