Hunter Biden asked a judge on Monday to scrap his recent conviction in a felony gun case and moved for a new trial on the grounds that the federal court in Delaware did not have jurisdiction over his case.

Biden’s trial in Wilmington lasted over a week and ended this month with a jury convicting him of three felonies for lying about his drug use on a federal form to purchase a revolver in 2018.

His attorneys argued in a filing that the court proceeded with the trial despite allegedly not having the authority to do so.

The longshot argument centered on the claim that appeals Biden had filed ahead of his trial with the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals had not been fully addressed. Biden had asked the appellate court to drop his charges before his trial, and the appellate court dismissed his appeals but did not issue “mandates” on their orders, Biden’s defense team argued.

“Thus, when this [district] Court empaneled the jury on June 3, 2024 and proceeded to trial, it was without jurisdiction to do so,” Biden’s attorneys wrote.

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Biden has not been sentenced yet, but sentencing guidelines signal that he could potentially face months in prison. Judge Maryellen Noreika, who presided over the case, has not scheduled his sentencing hearing yet but indicated after the verdict was handed down that it would typically occur about four months post-verdict.

The first son’s lead attorney, Abbe Lowell, said after the verdict that the defense team would “continue to vigorously pursue all the legal challenges available.”

While moving for a new trial is one avenue, Biden’s attorneys have also filed motions seeking an acquittal, and they could also appeal the conviction.

The Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery at a Wilmington area AT&T that occurred on Saturday evening.

On June 22, 2024, at approximately 8:10 p.m., troopers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the AT&T located at 3601 Concord Pike in Wilmington. The preliminary investigation revealed two unknown male suspects, who were armed with firearms, entered the business and confronted an employee while demanding access to the safe. The employee complied, and the suspects stole a large quantity of electronic merchandise. The suspects then fled in an unknown direction in a white sedan.

The suspects are described as black males wearing dark-colored clothing and masks covering their faces. There is no further description available for the white sedan. Surveillance video and images of the suspects and suspect vehicle are not available.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Detective D. Patterson by calling (302) 365-8404. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

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‘Literally, 10–20 years ago, we were hiding it. Now it’s legal’

Even though costs are high and regulations stiff, Hyland said he expects up to 200 applicants for the 47 social equity licenses. To that end, several prospective applicants trekked to Delaware Tech, hungry for info about getting into the new industry.

Watson, who runs a cleaning business, said he’s been to cannabis industry events in other states while preparing to apply in Delaware.

“Actually, I’m interested in cultivation, manufacturing and retail,’’ Watson said. “I’m going for all three licenses.”

Watson said he qualifies as a social equity applicant because of a prior conviction and the fact that he lives in a northeast Wilmington neighborhood where police have frequently made marijuana and other drug arrests.

He’s eyeing sites in rural Kent County to grow weed and to manufacture gummies and other edible and prepackaged products such as tinctures and oils. For a retail storefront, he’s looking at “somewhere close to the highway’’ so it’s convenient for customers.

Watson’s also amazed that he’s in a position to deal weed with a state-issued license.

“Literally, 10–20 years ago, we were hiding it. Now it’s legal,’’ Watson said. “You can get it for your medicinal purposes and now it’s going to be recreational. It’s a bright future.”

Rall, who grew up in Dover and lives in New Castle County, got busted for possession in college but now has a CBD store that sells hemp-based cannabis products off Kirkwood Highway.

Rall said he was previously involved in the medical marijuana business in California, and now that recreational use is legal in his home state, he wants in.

“I do have retail experience, so in that sense, I might look better on paper for a retail application,’’ Rall said. “I feel like my heart’s more like I want to cultivate, but I’m willing just to get my foot in the door because I’ve been doing this for a long time.”

Lawmakers consider bill that would provide social equity grants

Rall said he’s been lining up investors but is also interested in a possible pool of a few million dollars in grants that could be available to help social equity licensees get started.

That money hinges on a bill that would let current medical marijuana licensees convert to recreational licenses for a $200,000 fee. The legislation passed in the state House this month and awaits action in the Senate. Rep. Ed Osienski, the House sponsor, says he’s confident it will pass before the General Assembly adjourns June 30.

While some critics say the measure would give medical licensees an unfair leg up in recreational sales, Hyland said it would also help recreational sales begin in the spring of 2025. That’s  because medical licensees would be able to start growing recreational weed before other licensees. Otherwise, Hyland said, recreational retail sales might not start until sometime in 2026.

The Delaware Tech event also drew interested parties like Fairley, who said he’s looking to generate income to supplement his pay at the Port of Wilmington.

“I’m looking to get education, see what’s going on. What’s the positives? What’s the negatives?” Fairley said. “It’s a growing business. So you know, it’s always good to think about your future. You never know what can happen in life. You can always set yourself up for a safety net.”