(CN) — Attorneys on Monday picked the jurors who will determine the fate of the first child of a sitting president to face a federal criminal trial. Opening arguments are set for Tuesday morning.
Hunter Biden faces three felony charges related to a firearm prosecutors say he bought illegally in 2018. The trial will also delve into his highly publicized drug use and addiction, about which he's accused of lying when he filled out a form to purchase the gun.
President Joe Biden issued a statement Monday as trial began, saying, "As the president, I don't and won't comment on pending federal cases, but as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength.”
Who’s in the finalized jury?
The jury, finalized around 4:25 p.m., consists of 12 jurors — six men and six women — as well as four alternate jurors in the event that a juror can no longer serve.
The 12 jurors are as follows:
1. A woman who said her sister was convicted in Delaware for credit card fraud and drug charges approximately 10 years ago, but is "currently clean." The juror noted that her sister's past drug addiction would not impact her impartiality during the trial.
2. A woman who previously worked for the U.S. Secret Service in Washington. Her husband also worked for the Secret Service as a uniformed member.
3. A woman who said she'd heard about the case on YouTube but was unaware of its details.
4. A woman who said she doesn't think people who smoke marijuana should be disallowed from purchasing a firearm. She said she believed marijuana isn't "as bad as other drugs" like heroin.
5. A man who said the U.S. criminal justice system politically targeted individuals during the Civil Rights Movement but noted when questioned that such prosecution was "historical." He also said he has pleaded guilty to a DUI charge and the experience did not affect his views on law enforcement.
6. A man who said he has concealed carry permits in Delaware and Florida and has owned approximately six firearms in his lifetime. He told U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika that he had seen coverage of Hunter Biden's legal troubles on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, as well as on MSNBC and CNN, but never paid attention to it, adding that he only knew Hunter Biden is the president's son.
7. A man who said his father owns "a few" firearms.
8. A man who said his father was killed in a gun crime in 2004 and that his brother served time in jail for possession of narcotics. The juror also previously took some law classes, but never pursued law.
9. A woman who said she purchased a firearm over 20 years ago, which she still owns. She previously served on a Pennsylvania jury in a case involving narcotics.
10. A man who found out about the case only this past weekend, when his brother suggested his jury duty summons could be for Hunter Biden's trial. He said his brother and brother-in-law were both alcoholics before they died. "I know they both had diseases," the juror added.
11. A woman who said her family hunts and owns hunting rifles, but who has never owned a firearm herself. She also said her childhood best friend died of a heroin overdose, but that the experience would not affect her impartiality in the trial.
12. A man who said his older brother was addicted to PCP and heroin and that he's unsure whether the brother has continued to use illegal drugs. He also said that people using drugs shouldn't own a firearm, but added that former use shouldn't prevent gun ownership. "I believe there's room for change," he said.
Additionally, the four alternate jurors are as follows:
1. A woman who said she has served on multiple juries, including a state police discrimination case and a drunk driving lawsuit. She also said her brother was formally a police officer, but has since retired.
2. A woman who said school shooting incidents led her to believe gun ownership laws should be stricter. She said her workplace will put the news on TV, but that she wears headphones to drown it out because "it's very depressing."
3. A woman who said several of her family members have either died or been jailed as a result of drug addiction.
4. A woman who said she donated to President Barack Obama's campaign. She added that she could be impartial despite President Joe Biden having been Obama's vice president.
Jury set
Around 4:25 p.m. the parties concluded selecting a jury of six men and six women.
Pool of jurors shapes up
As of Monday afternoon, 34 of 36 people needed to form an initial jury pool had been selected. Another 20 will be called in for questioning, at which point prosecution and defense will cut the number to 16 and finalize the jury.
U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, a Trump appointee, said she hoped to finalize the jury by the end of the day.
Trump’s conviction on jurors’ minds
Multiple potential jurors were struck from pool after they suggested that Donald Trump's criminal conviction on Thursday was the result of a politically motivated prosecution. One juror was allowed to remain in the pool after saying they felt that any political bias of the Justice Department has been limited to Trump. (Trump was convicted in New York on state, not federal, charges.)
Senior assistant special counsel Derek Hines led questioning for the prosecution. He emphasized that potential jurors with friends or family who suffered from addiction would still have to be able to hold someone legally accountable for drug-related crimes.
Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden’s lead attorney, asked several potential jurors whether an individual who has recovered from drug addiction should be allowed to own a firearm — a point that Biden’s counsel has indicated could be a key aspect of their defense.
Almost all of the 57 potential jurors brought in for questioning said they'd heard something about the case. Some referenced the entire Biden family’s longstanding high profile in the state: “I live in Delaware — you can’t swing a cat without hitting something,” one juror said.
Hunter Biden arrives
Hunter Biden entered the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware on Monday morning with a straight face, flanked by his attorneys.
In the courtroom, he greeted several family members — including First Lady Jill Biden, his wife, Melissa Cohen, and his sister, Ashley Biden.
Hunter Biden did not speak outside the courthouse nor address the court during Monday morning's proceedings.
Live coverage from the trial will be updated throughout the day. This story was last updated at 6:02 p.m.
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