In a dramatic turn of events, the third day of the Hunter Biden trial witnessed compelling testimonies from his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle and former girlfriend Zoe Kestan. The pair provided vivid descriptions of Biden's struggle with drug addiction, captivating the jury with their accounts.

Buhle, who was subpoenaed by the prosecution, took the witness stand and recounted finding drug paraphernalia in Biden's car in 2018. However, she couldn't pinpoint the exact date when she made the discovery. Her brief and subdued testimony failed to fully engage the jurors.

On the other hand, Kestan proved to be a highly captivating witness. She animatedly described months of partying, clubbing, and aiding Biden in obtaining drugs across different locations. Kestan's detailed accounts, which included references to upscale restaurants and high-end hotels, drew the jury's close attention. She even received a brief wave from Biden during her testimony.

Crucially, Kestan provided direct eyewitness testimony of Hunter Biden using drugs as late as mid-September 2018, just weeks before his gun purchase. She claimed to have witnessed him smoking crack during one of their encounters in Malibu. This testimony is a significant development for the prosecutors, as it connects the timeline of Biden's drug use to the alleged false statement he made on the federal form when purchasing the gun.

Gordon Cleveland, the salesman who sold Biden the gun at the center of the charges, testified as a prosecution witness. He affirmed that he had witnessed Biden mark "no" on the question regarding illegal drug use. This testimony is crucial for the special counsel, as it directly relates to Counts 1 and 2 of the felony indictment, which allege that Biden made false statements on the form about his drug use.

During cross-examination by Biden's attorney Abbe Lowell, Cleveland acknowledged his reputation as a "whale hunter" in gun sales. He proudly boasted about his ability to close deals for expensive firearms but clarified that he only sold reliable and high-quality firearms, not "junk." Cleveland stated that he made the same commission regardless of whether a customer bought a gun or not.

The jury was shown photographs of a hotel room shared by Biden and Kestan in 2018, which revealed crack pipes, spoons, bowls, and chopsticks – all evidence of drug use. Additionally, prosecutors displayed a picture of Biden wearing a shirt with the word "ADDICTED" and an Adidas logo resembling a marijuana plant. Another image showed Biden in a bathtub holding a crack pipe, according to Kestan's testimony.

While prosecutors had initially signaled that Hunter Biden's late brother Beau's widow, Hallie Biden, would testify after Buhle and Kestan, the order of witnesses changed. Gordon's testimony regarding the gun sale took precedence. Prosecutors indicated that Hallie's testimony may be expected soon as they approach the conclusion of their case.

Hallie's testimony holds significant anticipation, as she represents the downside of the Biden family's struggles. Following Beau Biden's death from brain cancer in 2015, she pursued a relationship with his brother Hunter, who allegedly introduced her to crack cocaine. It is expected that other witnesses, including DEA officials who can shed light on drug-related texts sent by Hunter Biden, will also testify in the coming days.

As the trial continues, with a potential conclusion by Thursday afternoon, both the prosecution and the defense anticipate their turn to present their cases. The jury remains focused, absorbing the compelling testimonies and evidence presented thus far.

Note: This article is an adaptation of the information provided and does not contain any additional reporting beyond the given context.