Police Constable Noel Maitland sentenced to life; must serve 32 years before parole eligibility

Police Constable Noel Maitland has been sentenced to life in prison and must serve 32 years and four months before being considered for parole for the 2022 murder of his girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson. Her body has never been found.

He was also sentenced two years in prison for preventing the lawful burial of a corpse. The sentences are to run at the same time.

Justice Leighton Pusey handed down the sentences on Friday afternoon in the Home Circuit Court. Maitland was convicted by a jury in January.

The sentencing brings 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.

The sentencing hearing started late after Maitland arrived at the Supreme Court more almost an hour after the scheduled 10 a.m. start.

Maitland told the court he had nothing to say when asked by the registrar.

Maitland’s attorney, Christopher Townsend, told the court there were no eyewitnesses to the murder of Donna-Lee Donaldson, and that the prosecution relied entirely on circumstantial evidence. He argued that the evidence did not indicate Maitland acted in any “particular fashion.”

Townsend recommended a prison sentence of 17 years and 10 months, noting Maitland has already spent three years and eight months in custody, and suggested 10 years before parole eligibility.

“I hear you,” said Justice Pusey.

In response, Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson highlighted the anguish of Donaldson’s family, who have been left to imagine how she died due to the absence of her body.

“What we know for certain is it was a bloody affair, but there is no body,” she said. “Loved ones are left to imagine how Ms Donaldson died.”

She cited Maitland’s alleged attempt to conceal evidence, including the body and the couch, as aggravating factors in sentencing.

The DPP recommended a life sentence for Maitland, with a stipulation that he serve 36 years and four months before becoming eligible for parole. She had also proposed a starting point of 30 years for the sentence.

In his remarks, Justice Pusey said that a life sentence was the “appropriate action” for the crime and said that parole eligibility should range from 20 to 35 years.”

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.

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

During the trial, Maitland maintained his innocence in an unsworn statement from the dock, telling the court that he loved Donaldson and would never harm her.

He also claimed that a “tiny spot” of blood found in his apartment may have resulted from a miscarriage during intimacy.

Maitland’s attorney, Christopher Townsend, had earlier indicated that the defence was surprised by the jury’s verdict and signalled an appeal.

The jury had deliberated for three hours and 36 minutes before returning guilty verdicts.

Despite extensive searches, Donaldson’s body has never been recovered, with prosecutors relying heavily on circumstantial and forensic evidence during the trial.

- Andre Williams

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.