Constable Noel Maitland has case to answer in girlfriend’s alleged murder, rules judge

Justice Leighton Pusey has ruled that Constable Noel Maitland has a case to answer in the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson, and for preventing the lawful burial of her body.

Maitland is expected to start presenting his case on Monday.

Friday's ruling followed oral submissions from both the prosecution and defence in the Home Circuit Court on Thursday, after the parties had filed written arguments following the close of the prosecution’s case.

Donaldson, a 24-year-old entrepreneur, was reported missing on July 13, 2022. Maitland was subsequently arrested and charged with both offences.

The trial, which began in May 2025 before a seven-member jury, saw the prosecution call 36 witnesses.

Among them was Donaldson’s mother, who testified that her daughter was last seen alive on July 11, 2022, when Maitland picked her up from her home in St Andrew.

She also said she spoke with her daughter on the morning of July 12.

In a statement to police on July 15, 2022, Maitland said Donaldson left his Chelsea Manor apartment in St Andrew that morning after an argument over a photo of his child’s mother and his threat to end their relationship. He claimed repeated calls to her cell went unanswered.

However, a Government forensic analyst testified last month that blood traces recovered from items in Maitland’s New Kingston apartment matched Donaldson’s DNA.

- Tanesha Mundle

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com