Jill Biden supports stepson Hunter as jury is picked to decide his fate in trial centered on crack cocaine, a Colt Cobra Revolver, a ‘lie’ on a gun form and his exes

Jill Biden spent her 73rd birthday in a courtroom as a show of support for stepson Hunter as the jury that will decide his fate was seated.

Three times during breaks in jury selection, the First Lady hugged Hunter and kissed him on the cheek as she sat directly behind him in the courtroom for hours. at one point, Hunter joked to her, “Happy birthday.” I brought you to a special event.”

She sat on the public benches with Hunter’s half-sister Ashley and his wife Melissa Cohen, who also wrapped their arms around him during breaks.

While those closest to him were in a criminal court Joe Biden released a statement calling his son “inspirational” and expressing “boundless love” for him.

First lady Jill Biden departs federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday, June 3, 2024

unter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, accompanied by his wife Melissa Cohen Biden, leaves the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Delaware on June 3, 2024

A friend of the Biden family, Ricky Smith, who was in court, said, “It’s not right that he (Hunter) is sitting there because he was a drug addict.”

Hunter, the president’s only surviving son, has pleaded not guilty to three charges related to buying a .38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver at a time when, according to his own memoir, he was in the midst of a crack addiction.

The charge is based on lying to a federally licensed gun dealer who made a false claim on an application by saying he was not a drug user and that he had illegally possessed the gun for 11 days.

If found guilty, he could face up to 25 years in prison, although as a first-time offender he could also avoid any jail time.

After going through security at the six-story J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, Hunter passed a large photo of his smiling father in the lobby.

The building itself is named after Republican politician Boggs, who defeated Joe Biden to become a U.S. senator in 1972.

Ashley Biden, the daughter of US President Joe Biden, hugs a police officer as she leaves the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building during the trial of her brother Hunter Biden

Ashley Biden outside court as Hunter Biden stands trial on gun and drug charges

In a cavernous, wood-paneled courtroom on the fourth floor, more than 60 potential jurors were assembled by Judge Maryellen Noreika.

They were asked to answer a long series of questions, including their knowledge of the case, their views on gun ownership and any family experiences with drug addiction.

The potential dismissed jurors included several who knew the Bidens personally.

One of them had played squash with Beau Biden, Hunter’s late brother, and was a member of the same country club as the Bidens.

Another had been a colleague of Jill Biden’s at a school where she taught, and said he had “met Jill’s husband several times.”

Judge Maryellen Noreika hearing Hunter Biden’s case

Hunter Biden arrives at federal court with his wife Melissa Cohen Biden,

Several people also said they knew Hallie Biden, Beau’s widow, who had a relationship with Hunter and will be a key witness in the trial.

Other jurors said they were at least familiar with this case and the Bidens because Wilmington was a “small place.”

One said, “I live in Delaware. You can’t wave a cat without hearing something.’

Among the jurors sent home was a woman who said she had formed an opinion about Hunter Biden based on media reports.

She said, “It’s not a good one.”

US first lady Jill Biden leaves federal court on the opening day of the trial of Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, on criminal weapons charges in Wilmington, Delaware

President Joe Biden waves as he arrives at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, NY on Air Force One on Monday, June 3

The jurors ultimately selected included someone who had had a long career in the Secret Service.

Another told the court that her sister was convicted of credit card fraud and drug possession in Delaware about a decade ago.

A young woman on the jury said she gets all her news from YouTube.

A man on the jury said he had a concealed carry permit and had six guns in his possession.

The selected jury consisted of six men and six women, with four alternates.

During the selection process, almost all potential jurors indicated they knew someone addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Nearly every potential juror also said they had heard something about the case in the news, although few knew details.

Police secure the outside of the U.S. Federal District Court before the start of the first day of Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial

First lady Jill Biden outside Hunter Biden’s trial in federal court

Judge Noreika told them not to talk or read about the case on the internet.

Opening statements are scheduled to begin Tuesday and the case is expected to last two weeks.

Hunter Biden also faces a separate trial in California in September on charges of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes.

In a statement, Joe Biden said: “I am the president, but I am also a father. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today.”

The president spent the day at his home in Wilmington, leaving shortly after court adjourned for a campaign reception in Connecticut.