The hit-and-run driver charged within the crash that killed Nicki Minaj’s father on Lengthy Island final 12 months pleaded responsible on Friday — and was instructed by the choose he would spend no multiple 12 months in jail, upsetting Minaj’s widowed mom.
Charles Polevich, a 71-year-old businessman, admitted in Nassau County state courtroom to leaving Robert Maraj on the aspect of the street to die after he struck him whereas he was strolling alongside a snowy street in Mineola in February 2021.
Polevich acquired out of his car, regarded over the injured Maraj and requested him if he was okay, earlier than he walked again into his 1992 Volvo and drove off with out calling 911, based on the legal criticism. He drove residence and parked the automobile in his storage and coated it with tarp.
He pleaded responsible to tampering with proof for hiding the car.
Maraj, 64, died at a hospital the following day.
Choose Howard Sturim mentioned Friday Polevich would obtain “no multiple 12 months in jail,” along with neighborhood service and a suspended license. He’s scheduled to be formally sentenced on Aug. 3.
Minaj’s mom Carol Maraj instructed reporters that she was “not completely happy” with the lenient sentencing. She mentioned that seeing Polevich within the courtroom left her shaking considering of her husband combating for his life within the hospital.
Maraj filed a $150 million lawsuit against Polevich in March 2021 claiming the Guam-based drilling and water-purification enterprise proprietor was negligent when he hit her husband and left the scene.
Prosecutor’s additionally disagreed with the deliberate sentence after looking for one to 3 years in jail for Polevich.
“Given the severity of the defendant’s conduct, we disagree with the sentencing dedication from the courtroom,” Nassau County District Lawyer’s workplace spokesperson Brendan Brosh mentioned in a press release, obtained by the Associated Press.
Polevich’s legal professional Marc Gann mentioned the deadly hit-and-run was “out of character” for his shopper, and prompt he could have a medical situation that led to the accident.
“He does really feel super empathy for Mr. Maraj’s household and super regret for any position he performed in his dying,” Gann instructed AP by telephone after courtroom.
Minaj — who was born Onika Tanya Maraj in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in Queens — reportedly had a rocky relationship together with her father, which they later reconciled.
After his dying, which she known as “essentially the most devastating lack of my life” The Grammy-nominated rapper said she simply needed to choose up the telephone and name him.
“I discover myself desirous to name him on a regular basis. Extra so now that he’s gone. Life is humorous that manner,” she wrote on her website after he was killed. “Could his soul relaxation in paradise. He was very beloved & shall be very missed.”
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