Court to decide on participation of overseas witnesses in Donaldson murder trial
Published:Saturday | May 3, 2025 | 12:08 AM
Justice Leighton Pusey is expected to rule next week Thursday on whether three witnesses will be allowed to testify from overseas in the Donna-Lee Donaldson murder trial.
The special measures application, which the prosecution sought ahead of the pending trial, started on Tuesday and was yesterday adjourned for continuation on Monday in the Home Circuit Court.
Constable Noel Maitland is accused of murdering Donaldson, a 24-year-old social media personality, in July 2022. She was last seen after visiting Maitland’s apartment at Chelsea Manor in St Andrew. He is charged with murder and with preventing the lawful burial of a corpse.
Maitland, who has been in custody since July 27, 2022, was further remanded.
The trial was initially scheduled to begin on Monday but is now delayed, pending the outcome of the special measures application. Lead prosecutor Claudette Thompson told the court that the Crown wanted to have the application heard first as the outcome would determine whether the trial proceeds. She also emphasised that the case is based entirely on circumstantial evidence, making each witness’ testimony vital.
Prosecutors allege that Donaldson went missing on July 13, 2022, after reportedly last being seen two days earlier at Maitland’s residence. Bloodstains matching Donaldson’s DNA were allegedly found on a pair of sneakers and curtains within the apartment.
The court also heard claims that Maitland removed a blood-soaked sofa and took it to a car wash on July 13, 2022, saying it was stained due to a cousin’s injury. A car wash worker allegedly remarked: “A whole heap o’ blood coming out the right side ... Jesus, this man must dead. Him bleed out, or this come in like dem kill somebody inna this.”
It is further alleged that Maitland hired a truck driver to transport the sofa and asked his landlord to delete CCTV footage from the property. Additionally, cell site data reportedly placed both Maitland’s and Donaldson’s phones in the area on July 12.
Public commentary
Pusey has also issued a strong warning regarding public commentary and demonstrations surrounding the case. On Monday, he cautioned that statements made outside the court or in online vlogs, especially by non-traditional media, could improperly influence jurors and may lead to contempt of court or even a mistrial.
“Members of the traditional press understand their restriction. Where a matter is a jury matter, the court is very careful about acts and statements which may be done, speaking about potential evidence and also things that may lead to trying to influence the jurors.
“So, therefore, if there are any groups of persons with any particular influence, they need to understand very carefully that the court’s position is, that sort of thing is not to be done, the comments that you made … are not going to be allowed at this stage,” he said.
Maitland is represented by attorneys Christopher Townsend, Chadwick Berry, Sanjay Smith, and Kaysian Kennedy Sherman.