On monday morning Jelani Maraj, brother of rapper Nicki Minaj, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for repeatedly raping an 11-year-old girl at his Long Island home,
a spokesperson for the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office told NBC News, revealed that Maraj was convicted in November 2017 of predatory sexual assault against a child and endangering the welfare of a child, Prosecutors sought the maximum sentences of 25 years to life in prison.
The 14 years old girl who testified at the age of 14 said while her mother was at work, she was assaulted continuously for over eight months in 2015 at Maraj's home in Baldwin.
Prosecutors said DNA evidence supported the allegations. One of the witness of these assaults was the girl's younger brother who also testified.
Maraj's lawyers claims the rape allegations were invented by the mother of 14 year old girl as a scheme to get Nicki Minaj to pay $25 million as pay off money.
Maraj's attorney appealed conviction in 2018, claiming that there was jury misconduct. The judge said that the defense did not meet the necessary burden of proof.
Jelani Maraj testified in court claiming he had an alcohol problem and asked for a "second chance." One of his attorneys said he suffered from health issues including hypertension, gout and anemia and requested the minimum sentence of 10 years to life.
Stephen Scaring, Maraj's appellate attorney, said he plans to appeal the judge's decision.
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