Posted on 07/26/2023 5:04:59 PM PDT by grundle
WILMINGTON, Del. — A federal judge on Wednesday delayed accepting a guilty plea from President Biden’s son Hunter, saying the terms of the deal may not be constitutional but could be salvaged in the coming weeks if prosecutors and defense lawyers can show her it is on solid legal footing.
The deal that had been struck in June began to unravel near the start of the three-hour hearing, which the White House and allies of the Biden family had hoped would help close a painful chapter in Hunter Biden’s life that has cast a pall over the First Family.
U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika asked questions that revealed the extent of a long-standing dispute between federal prosecutors and Biden’s lawyers over whether the agreement — in which he would plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors and probably avoid jail time — would protect him from the possibility of additional criminal charges. She later questioned the structure of the deal itself, saying lawyers had crafted a two-step plea deal in which some key features may not be reviewable or enforceable by the court.
The complications marked another twist in a case that has been dogged by questions about possible political bias, prosecutorial delay, and debate over whether Hunter Biden was being treated too harshly or too gently because of who his father is. The judge’s skepticism also thrust Biden back into the spotlight, renewing questions over what investigations may be ongoing and how that might affect his father ahead of a presidential reelection campaign, and reanimated congressional Republicans, who have spent months focusing on the Biden family in what have often been fruitless pursuits.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I think she had to. The defense was saying the investigation was closed with immunity, and the prosecutor was saying there still was an on going investigation. No matter what the plea deal was you can’t finalize it until the investigation is finished.
As she should.
A leftie judge would have broomed the thing.
So then defense said only the crooked deal for us or not guilty.
The deal would have given Hunter immunity from prosecution on everything going forward. Also he was never charged with the gun crime but getting a deal for future charges should they occur.
Judge knew better.
They DOJ was trying to a pull a fast one. Say they are still investigating so they can’t answer House inquiries. But at the same time give Hunter immunity.
This was nothing more than sweeping the Hunter Biden life
such as it was, under the carpet, so not to involve daddy.
The trouble is, daddy is chin deep in everything.
This plea deal is so transparent, it’s sickening.
The nauseating reaction by MSM to all the crap swirling around the Biden’s is enough to make one Ill. Every sentence they say is framed to help the mist corrupt, lawless regime to ever infect the White House.
You watch - the prosecutor will be “investigated”.
To anyone paying attention, we have a 2 tiered justice system. Those with political connections are served one form of justice and everyone else something entirely different.
God help us!
Monday the partner testifies. Unless a nationwide blackout, it may be too late. No deal. DOJ puts forward a fall guy. Then it’s up to Congress to keep going or not.
So they might still repackage the sweetheart deal and put it again in front of the judge. I can’t believe they were not prepared and on the same page about the deal—embarrassing.
More on the “COULD, MAY, MIGHT” conditions applied to the deal. Does anyone really think punter will abide by them? Or that anyone will even check compliance? 🐎💩
So it is all about Hunter, and he is the victim.
Nothing to do with the Big Guy.
If Hunter had received this complete deal, he would not have been subject to prosecution for any of the corruption. Then he could testify at any trial of Joe that he, Hunter, was the only guilty party, and because of the deal, he could not be charged and Joe could walk.
Any honest prosecutor would put Hunter under oath and require him to testify against the other guilty parties.
Wapo conveniently does not mention that the DOJ and the FBI have been stalling and denying and lying about providing documents and answers to congressional investigators under the name of "ongoing investigations" that have supposedly been "ongoing" for years.
Sounds reasoned. I am not familiar with how all those things work.
Chris Clark, an attorney for Biden, says: “As far as I’m concerned, the plea agreement is null and void.”
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