Jurors in Delaware reached their verdict on the charges against Hunter Biden, the president’s son, after just three hours and five minutes of deliberations.
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Jill Biden, the first lady, center, with her sister, Bonny Jacobs, entering the courthouse on Tuesday.
The speed of the verdict took nearly everyone by surprise — including the first lady, Jill Biden.
Court administrators cautioned reporters who were outside the courthouse in Wilmington, Del., to obey safety rules after many ran full speed into the building, causing a bottleneck at the metal detectors.
Jurors reached their verdict after just three hours and five minutes of deliberations.
As the verdict was read aloud — guilty on all three felony counts — Hunter Biden stood with arms crossed, grimly surveying the jury.
After jurors left the courtroom, Mr. Biden hugged his lawyers. Then he found his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, put his hands on her arms, looked her in the eyes, and said, “Hey.” He kissed and hugged her.
Jill Biden, the first lady and Mr. Biden’s stepmother who attended most days of the trial, was not able to get to the courtroom in time for the verdict because of security delays. But she held Mr. Biden’s hand as he left the courthouse and got into a waiting vehicle without speaking to reporters.
His aunt was also unable to enter the courtroom when the verdict was announced. His uncle James Biden rushed to the front of the security line, insisting he should get priority as a family member. He was successful.
Glenn Thrush covers the Department of Justice and has also written about gun violence, civil rights and conditions in the country’s jails and prisons. More about Glenn Thrush
Eileen Sullivan covers breaking news, the Justice Department, the trials against Donald J. Trump and the Biden administration. More about Eileen Sullivan
Katie Rogers is a White House correspondent. For much of the past decade, she has focused on features about the presidency, the first family, and life in Washington, in addition to covering a range of domestic and foreign policy issues. She is the author of a book on first ladies. More about Katie Rogers
See more on: Jill Biden, President Joe Biden
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Source: nytimes.com
