Nicki Minaj Is Supporting Brother ‘100 Percent’ During His Child Sex Abuse Trial, Defense Lawyer Says

Jury selection began Wednesday in the child sex abuse trial of Jelani Maraj, the 38-year-old brother of rapper Nicki Minaj, PEOPLE confirms.

Maraj is expected to be tried for up to three weeks in Long Island, New York, on charges that he sexually abused a child younger than 13 years old — allegations he denies.

Maraj was first arrested in connection with the case in early December 2015 and, according to online court records, now faces charges of predatory sex assault against a child, course of sexual conduct and acting in a manner likely to injure a child.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors declined to comment on the case Thursday, and it remains unclear what led to the charges against Maraj or when the alleged abuse occurred.

If convicted of the most serious count, he could be sentenced to life behind bars.




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

• Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage?










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.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.





Maraj wore a gray suit and a blue tie to court this week. Outside, he was captured by photographers sipping an energy drink.

Soon after his arrest in 2015, Maraj was released from custody on $100,000 bail, reportedly backedby two of his sister’s homes