INDECOM examiner back on stand as Maitland trial resumes
Published:Tuesday | July 8, 2025 | 12:11 AMTanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter
The murder trial of Constable Noel Maitland resumed un Monday after a seven-week adjournment, with testimony from the chief crime scene examiner of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).
The examiner confirmed that packages containing suspected blood-stained items collected from Maitland’s Chelsea apartment in St Andrew remained sealed and untouched during checks in July 2024 and May 2025. These items, including a pair of drapes and a cushion cover with what appeared to be blood stains, were retrieved on July 28, 2022. They were packaged separately, labelled, sealed, and sent to the government’s forensic lab.
Maitland is charged with the alleged murder of his girlfriend, 24-year-old Donna-Lee Donaldson, and with preventing the lawful burial of a corpse. Donaldson, a social media personality and entrepreneur, was reported missing on July 13, 2022. Her mother, Sophia Lugg, had earlier testified that Maitland picked up Donaldson from their home on July 11. She last heard from her daughter on the morning of July 12.
The matter, which commenced in May, was adjourned on May 29 for administrative reasons.
During earlier testimony, the examiner detailed observing stains resembling blood on drapes, a wall in the living room, and a cream cushion cover found atop a barrel in Maitland’s apartment. These items were documented with photographs, which were shown to the jury.
Additionally, the jury saw a photograph of a toothbrush collected from Donaldson’s mother’s home.
After the apartment search, the examiner conducted a forensic inspection of a pickup truck at the Half-Way Tree Police Station. Despite three chemical tests, no trace of blood was found on the vehicle. The truck’s driver was present during the examination.
So far, seven of 32 witnesses have been called in the trial, which is expected to last 10 weeks.