Hunter Biden’s sister-in-law-turned-lover testifies in criminal trial

The criminal trial of President Joe Biden’s son Hunter has been rocked by testimony from his ex-girlfriend, the widow of his brother, who threw away the gun at the centre of the case.

US President Joe Biden’s son Hunter introduced his brother’s widow to crack cocaine as they had an affair, before she later threw out his gun as she feared he was going to die.

Hallie Biden detailed the traumatic series of events as she gave evidence on Thursday (local time) in Hunter’s criminal trial, with the first son facing charges of illegally buying the gun because he lied on a form about his drug addiction.

It came as the President confirmed he would not pardon his son if he was convicted.

The wife of Beau Biden – who died of brain cancer in 2015 – testified that she and Hunter began a “gradual” romantic relationship as they grieved his loss, and that he introduced her to crack cocaine in 2018.

She said she occasionally saw him with crack rocks the size of ping pong balls.

Hallie Biden arrives at the Delaware court to give evidence. Picture: Kevin Dietsch (Getty Images via AFP)

“It was a terrible experience that I went through. I’m embarrassed and I’m ashamed and I regret that period of my life,” Hallie told the court in Delaware.

She testified that in October 2018, she was cleaning out Hunter’s vehicle when she found the gun along with “remnants of crack cocaine” and other drug paraphernalia.

Hallie said that she “panicked” and decided to get rid of it because she feared Hunter or her children would be injured. The jury was shown court surveillance footage of her throwing it in a rubbish bin in a supermarket parking lot.

“I realise it was a stupid idea now but I was just so panicked,” she said.

Hallie Biden and Hunter Biden in 2016. Picture: Supplied

Prosecutors called the 50-year-old to testify in a bid to convince the jury that Hunter – the first child of a sitting president to face a criminal trial – was using drugs when he bought the firearm 11 days beforehand and that he lied about his addiction to make the purchase.

Hallie was asked about text messages Hunter sent her around that time in which he referred to waiting for a “dealer named Mookie” and said he was “sleeping on a car smoking crack”.

She replied after the second message: “I just want to help you get sober, nothing I do or you do is working … I am afraid you are going to die.”

Hallie, asked by prosecutor Leo Wise if she was afraid of him overdosing, replied: “Maybe? Or suicide … I didn’t know.”

Her evidence followed vivid testimony about the depths of Hunter’s drug addiction on Wednesday (local time) from his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle and former girlfriend Zoe Kestan.

BIDEN’S RARE STATEMENT ON SON’S ALLEGED CRIMES

US President Joe Biden has thrown his support behind his “inspiring” son Hunter as his criminal trial began over a gun he allegedly bought while he was addicted to crack cocaine.

The two-week trial will be a bruising affair for the Biden family, with the witnesses expected to include Hallie Biden, the widow of Hunter’s late brother Beau who he was dating when he bought the firearm in 2018.

He could face up to 25 years behind bars if he is convicted of federal charges of illegally buying the firearm while using illicit drugs and lying on a federal form about his addiction.

First Lady Jill Biden arrived to support Hunter – the first child of a sitting president to stand trial – as jury selection began in Delaware’s federal court on Monday (local time).

Hunter Biden arrives at court with his wife Melissa Cohen Biden. Picture: Anna Moneymaker (Getty Images via AFP)

Mr Biden issued a statement in which he said: “Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today.”

“I am the President, but I am also a dad,” Mr Biden said, adding that while he would not comment on the case against Hunter, he had “boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength”.

“Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us. A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean.”

US President Joe Biden cycling with his son Hunter. Picture: Samuel Corum (AFP)

“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 and his son had earlier spent the weekend together in Delaware, where they were pictured cycling.

It was the First Lady’s birthday on the first day of the trial, with Hunter reportedly prompting laughter when he said to her in court: “Happy birthday … I got you a special event.”

First Lady Jill Biden arrives at court for the start of Hunter Biden’s trial. Picture: Anna Moneymaker (Getty Images via AFP)

Prosecutors have alleged he illegally had the gun for 11 days before Hallie threw it out. She is expected to give evidence about his drug use, along with Hunter’s ex-wife Kathleen Buhle.

A year ago, Hunter had been on the verge of a plea deal on the gun charges as well as separate allegations about his unpaid taxes.

But it dramatically disintegrated in a court hearing in which his lawyers and federal prosecutors sparred over the extent of the immunity the agreement would grant him, amid Republican efforts to tie the President to his son’s questionable foreign business dealings.

Attorney-General Merrick Garland then made the prosecutor handling the politically charged case a special counsel, giving him independent power to take Hunter to court.

The President’s son is also scheduled to face a separate trial in September over allegations he failed to pay at least $US1.4m in federal taxes between 2016 and 2019, with prosecutors claiming he instead splurged millions of dollars including on drugs and women.