Advertisement

Nicki Minaj's brother convicted of raping stepdaughter

By Ray Downs
Jelani Maraj, the brother of Nicki Minaj, was convicted of raping his stepdaughter on November 9. Photo by Nassau County Police Department
1 of 3 | Jelani Maraj, the brother of Nicki Minaj, was convicted of raping his stepdaughter on November 9. Photo by Nassau County Police Department

Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Jelani Maraj, the 38-year-old brother of Nicki Minaj, was convicted Thursday of raping his stepdaughter.

Jurors in Nassau County, N.Y. deliberated for more than two days before they convicted Maraj of endangering the welfare of a child and predatory sexual assault on a child younger than 13, reported the New York Daily News.

Advertisement

Maraj's defense attorney, David Schwartz, argued that Jacqueline Maraj, the mother of the victim who divorced Maraj last year, made-up the allegations in an effort to extort $25 million from Maraj's famous sister.

Schwartz also said she planted DNA evidence to frame the man she accused of raping her child just months after they got married in April 2015.

"It's all about money and it's all about revenge," he told the jury in his closing argument.

But the victim, who is now 14, testified during trial and said Maraj repeatedly raped her and would beat her if she refused his advances. Her 10-year-old brother also testified and said he walked in on Maraj sexually abusing his sister.

Maraj, who has maintained his innocence, faces 15 years to life.

Advertisement

Nicki Minaj was rumored to testify on her brother's behalf but didn't end up doing so.

Latest Headlines