Nicki Minaj’s Brother, Jelani Maraj, Loses Appeal In Child Rape Conviction

Jelani Miraj, Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj’s Brother, Jelani Maraj, Loses Appeal In Child Rape Conviction

The brother of award-winning rapper Nicki Minaj has lost his final chance at an appeal after being convicted of child rape.

Jelani Maraj lost the appeal to overturn his conviction and release him on bail in Nassau County. A judge said he didn’t meet his

“burden of proof that any misconduct here created a significant risk that a substantial right of the defendant was prejudiced.”

Jelani Maraj Mugshot

The failed appeal comes after he was convicted in November 2017 of raping his then stepdaughter when she was 11.

While his lawyers claimed that all of the charges were completely made up, and were an attempt to extort $25 million from Minaj, he was still found guilty after the teenager took the stand and said Maraj raped her several times while her mother, Maraj’s wife at the time was at work. She said the incidents happened from April 2015 to the following November.

Maraj’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18. He could get life in jail.

Minaj has reportedly supported Maraj before his conviction.

His lawyer, David Schwartz, previously stated in October 2017 that Minaj was “100 percent” with Maraj.  He added,

“These are a bunch of lies. There’s a big, big motive to lie here which I can’t get into right now. But these are false accusations.”

She also shared a message just after he was arrested in 2015.

“I would cross the ocean for u. I would go & bring u the moon. Promise u. For u I will. I love my brother so much man. Can’t believe I cried during his wedding and his first dance like a punk. May God bless him and his union. Tonight has been one of my favorite nights of all time. I do anything to see my brothers smile.”

What are your thoughts on the judge’s decision against Jelani Maraj? Tell us in the comments.