Final arguments expected in Maitland case next week
Published:Friday | January 16, 2026 | 12:10 AMTanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter
The prosecution and defence in the murder trial of Constable Noel Maitland are expected to close their cases on Monday after proceedings in the Home Circuit Court were adjourned on Thursday due to the illness of two jurors.
The trial, which is being heard before Justice Leighton Pusey in the Home Circuit Court, has been ongoing since May 2025.
On Wednesday, Inspector Franz Morrison gave character evidence on behalf of the defence, telling the court that allegations Maitland had murdered his girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson, sent shockwaves through the Constant Spring Police Station and the Area 5 Police Division in July 2022.
“I was very surprised. In fact, the entire station family was surprised, the entire division,” Morrison testified.
He said Maitland’s general character did not suggest he was capable of committing such an act.
Morrison, who is now assigned to the Rockfort Police Station, told the court that at the time of Donaldson’s disappearance, he was stationed at Constant Spring as a sub-officer in charge and had direct supervisory responsibility over Maitland.
“I would describe him as a hard-working police officer, very professional,” Morrison said, describing the accused as vibrant, sociable, and committed to his duties.
Sometimes outspoken
According to Morrison, Maitland was generally agreeable and a team player, though sometimes outspoken, but never to the extent that it raised concerns about discipline or professionalism.
However, under cross-examination by Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson, he acknowledged that individuals sometimes act outside of their perceived character.
Maitland is charged with murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse in connection with the disappearance of Donaldson, 24, an entrepreneur and social media personality who was reported missing in July 2022.
Donaldson was last seen alive at Maitland’s Chelsea Manor apartment in St Andrew on July 12, 2022.
In an unsworn statement from the dock, Maitland maintained his innocence, telling the court that he had no thoughts of hurting Donaldson and would never kill her.
He said the couple’s three-year relationship was marked by frequent arguments, mostly about the mother of his child, but insisted the disputes were never physical.
Maitland told the court that after their final argument on July 12, he went to sleep and was later awakened by Donaldson, who said she was leaving.
“She woke me up, and she left the Tuesday. I haven’t seen Donna-Lee since that day,” he said.
He also claimed that a tiny spot of blood found in his apartment could only have come from a miscarriage Donaldson allegedly suffered during an intimate moment.