Hunter Biden's attorneys pleaded with a Delaware district court judge to delay his upcoming court dates on Tuesday, as the defense struggles to find expert witnesses before Biden's criminal trial begins in June.
The president's son is facing three felony counts for allegedly lying about his drug use while purchasing a gun in 2018. While Biden has admitted to using crack cocaine during this period, he denies breaking the law - arguing that the charges are politically motivated.
The judge overseeing the case rejected Biden's allegations last month and allowed for the trial to go forward.
Attorney Abbe Lowell told Judge Maryellen Noreika that the defense has been struggling to find expert witnesses to testify about drug addiction and forensics because of "the noise" surrounding the president's son.
"We have not been delaying, we have not been tardy," Lowell told Noreika. "We have been trying."
"People are reluctant to become involved in this case," he added. "I am pleading with your honor to give me the time to do this."
Noreika rejected Lowell's pleas, telling the attorney that she was not his "scheduling secretary."
The defense also seemed to imply that they were overwhelmed with managing Biden's legal affairs in Delaware and California. On the West Coast, Biden is facing three felonies and six misdemeanors for tax issues - though he has since repaid his back taxes.
"[Prosecutors] have the resources to be ready on both coasts," Lowell said. "I wish we did. But it's not for want of trying."
