Jelani Maraj, the brother of rap star Nicki Minaj, has been convicted of predatory sexual assault after being charged with repeatedly raping his 11-year-old stepdaughter at their Long Island home.
According to NY Daily News, the verdict in the trial of Maraj came in today (November 9) after two days of deliberating. The charges carry the potential for 15 years to life in prison on the sexual assault conviction.
The girl, who is now 14, testified that she was repeatedly assaulted over eight months in 2015 at Maraj’s home in Baldwin, Long Island. Her kid brother also testified about accidentally witnessing Maraj sexually assaulting the girl. Prosecutors say DNA evidence support the allegations.
Police also said they found Maraj’s semen on the girl’s pajamas, however the defense claimed the girl and her mother planted the evidence.
He will be sentenced on December 14.