Washington DC
Hunter Biden’s primary criminal defense attorney, Christopher Clark, has formally asked a federal judge for permission to withdraw from the case, citing the possibility that he might be called as a witness in forthcoming legal proceedings. The motion was submitted on Tuesday to the Delaware judge overseeing the case since a plea deal was initially announced in June.
The filing by Biden’s legal team stated, “Based on recent developments, it appears that the negotiation and drafting of the plea agreement and diversion agreement will be contested, and Mr. Clark is a percipient witness to those issues.” This development arises after federal prosecutors declared an impasse regarding a plea agreement concerning tax offenses and a linked “diversion agreement” intended to address a gun possession charge. The prosecutors had requested an extension on the late August deadline, initially set for renegotiating the agreements, after the judge declined to approve them during a hearing last month.
Biden’s lawyers have maintained their belief that the gun diversion deal remains “valid and binding.” Abbe Lowell, one of the attorneys, attributed the contentious drafting of the agreements to the prosecutors. The judge has yet to issue a ruling on the current status of the case, as she has sought further information.
In a separate development, as the plea negotiations faltered last week, the lead prosecutor overseeing the case, US attorney David Weiss, was granted “special counsel” status by Attorney General Merrick Garland.
The situation underscores the complex nature of the ongoing legal proceedings and highlights the challenges both sides are facing in reaching a resolution. As the case unfolds, further developments are expected to shed light on the course of action moving forward.
