Instead of accepting a plea deal, Nicki Minaj's brother will stand trial for a crime he says he didn't commit. Jelani Maraj is accused of predatory assault of a child. According to Bossip, he rejected the Nassau County’s District Attorney’s plea deal of 15 years to life.
Nicki Minaj, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj, put up two of her residences as collateral in order to keep her eldest brother free on bail. The man pled not guilty though prosecutors allege he raped and sodomized a 12-year-old girl many times over the span of eight months in 2015. The last sexual assault occurred the day before his arrest in December of that year.
Maraj said he never touched the girl but argued that she was having sex with other men. State evidence shows Maraj's semen was found on the girl's clothes.
In recent months, he has hired a private detective, fired his lawyers and hired one who specializes in sex crime cases. Sources say Nicki is paying for his defense.
Pre-trial hearings begin this month. He faces life in state prison if convicted.