Defence to seek dismissal of murder charge in Donna-Lee Donaldson case

Defence lawyers on Monday signalled they will seek to have the murder case against policeman Constable Noel Maitland dismissed after prosecutors closed their case in the high-profile trial over the disappearance of influencer Donna-Lee Donaldson.

A total of 36 witnesses were called to give evidence for the prosecution in the trial, which is before the Home Circuit Court in Kingston.

The trial started in May.

Immediately after the prosecution closed it case, defence attorneys indicated that they intend to make a no-case submission asking presiding judge Justice Leighton Pusey to dismiss the charges.

The lawyer claim that prosecutors have not made out a prima facie case against the policeman.

Maitland is on trial for murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Donaldson was last seen alive on July 11, 2022 when the cop reportedly picked her up at her mother’s home in St Andrew.

Her mother, one of several witnesses for the prosecution, testified that she last spoke to Donaldson the following morning.

In a statement he gave the police on July 15, 2022, Maitland said Donaldson walked out of his Chelsea Manor apartment on the morning of July 12, after an argument about a photo of his child’s mother on the wall and his threat to end their relationship.

A Government forensic analyst testified last month that blood traces found on several items taken from Maitland’s apartment in New Kingston have been confirmed to match the DNA profile of the missing social media influencer.

The trial, which is being heard by a seven-member jury, is expected to continue next month.

-Livern Barrett

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.