Nicki Minaj’s brother convicted in child rape case
ASSOCIATED PRESS / 2015
This photo provided by the Nassau County Police Department shows Jelani Maraj, 37, after he was arrested on rape and other charges involving a victim younger than 13 years old.
MINEOLA, N.Y. >> The brother of rapper Nicki Minaj has been convicted of predatory sexual assault after being charged with repeatedly raping an 11-year-old girl at his Long Island home.
Jurors delivered their verdict today in Jelani Maraj’s trial. The charges carry the potential for 25 years to life in prison. Maraj is 38.
His lawyer says he will appeal.
The girl is now 14. She testified she was repeatedly assaulted over eight months in 2015 at Maraj’s home in Baldwin.
Prosecutors say DNA evidence supports the allegations. The girl’s younger brother testified that he witnessed one assault.
Maraj’s lawyers said the rape allegations were concocted by the girl’s mother as part of a scheme to get Nicki Minaj to pay $25 million in hush money.
Neither Maraj nor his rapper sister testified.
