Maitland to be sentenced today in Donna-Lee Donaldson murder case

Police Constable Noel Maitland is scheduled to be sentenced today for the murder of his girlfriend, social media influencer Donna-Lee Donaldson, whose body has never been found.

The sentencing hearing is set to begin at 10 a.m., in the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston.

Today's decision will being to a close a case that has gripped the nation since Donaldson, 24, disappeared in July 2022 after being picked up by Maitland and taken to his apartment in New Kingston.

On January 22, a seven-member jury found Maitland guilty of murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse following a lengthy trial built largely on circumstantial evidence, including DNA traces and cellphone data that placed Donaldson inside the policeman’s apartment before her disappearance.

Justice Leighton Pusey presided over the trial.

Donaldson was last seen alive at Maitland’s Chelsea Manor apartment in St Andrew on July 12, 2022.

Maitland’s attorney, Christopher Townsend, said the defence was surprised at the verdict and signalled an appeal.

The jury had deliberated for three hours and 36 minutes.

In an unsworn statement from the dock during the trial, Maitland maintained his innocence, insisting that he loved Donna-Lee and would never harm her while claiming that a “tiny spot” of blood found in his apartment may have resulted from a miscarriage during intimacy.

Timeline: The Noel Maitland Case

Key events in the case involving Police Constable Noel Maitland and the killing of Donna-Lee Donaldson.

July 11, 2022 - Donaldson is last seen alive after being picked up from her home in St Andrew by Maitland and taken to his apartment at Chelsea Manor in New Kingston.

July 13, 2022 - Donaldson is reported missing by relatives after they were unable to contact her.

July 15, 2022 - Maitland provides a statement to police claiming Donaldson left his apartment after an argument and that he could not reach her afterwards.

July 27, 2022 - Maitland is taken into police custody as investigators intensify the probe into Donaldson’s disappearance.

August 2022 - Maitland is charged with murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse and later remanded when he appears before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

September 2022 - The case is committed to the Home Circuit Court for trial.

2024 - Maitland remains in custody for more than a year before the trial begins.

April 7, 2025 - After several pre-trial hearings, Maitland’s murder trial begins before a seven-member jury.

January 2026 - The trial judge rules that Maitland has a case to answer, allowing the trial to proceed to the defence stage.

January 22, 2026 - After deliberations, the jury returns guilty verdicts for murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse.

March 13, 2026 - Maitland is scheduled to be sentenced in the Home Circuit Court.

Key Evidence in the Maitland Trial

DNA evidence - Forensic experts testified that Donaldson’s DNA was found on items inside Maitland’s apartment, including areas of a sofa.

Removal of furniture - Investigators told the court that Maitland removed the sofa from the apartment shortly after Donaldson’s disappearance.

Cellphone data - Phone records and location data helped investigators track Maitland’s movements during the period when prosecutors say Donaldson was killed.

Behaviour after the disappearance - Prosecutors argued that Maitland’s actions after Donaldson went missing, including statements he gave to investigators, were inconsistent with his claim that she had simply left his apartment.

No body recovered - Despite extensive searches, Donaldson’s body has never been found, with prosecutors relying heavily on circumstantial and forensic evidence during the trial.

- Andre Williams

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