Police Constable Noel Maitland sentenced to life for murder of Donna-Lee Donaldson

Jamaican Police Constable Noel Maitland was on Friday sentenced to life in prison and must serve 32 years and four months before becoming eligible for parole for the 2022 murder of his girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson, whose body has never been found.

The sentence was handed down by Justice Leighton Pusey in the Home Circuit Court, bringing to a close a case that has gripped Jamaica since the 24-year-old social media influencer and call centre employee disappeared in July 2022.

Maitland was convicted in January by a seven-member jury of murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse following a trial that relied heavily on circumstantial and forensic evidence.

Defence attorney Christopher Townsend argued that the prosecution’s case was based entirely on circumstantial evidence and that there were no eyewitnesses to Donaldson’s killing. He recommended a sentence of 17 years and 10 months, noting that Maitland has already spent three years and eight months in custody, and suggested he become eligible for parole after 10 years.

Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson urged the court to impose a life sentence, highlighting the anguish Donaldson’s family continues to endure without knowing how she died.

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

She also cited Maitland’s alleged efforts to conceal evidence — including the removal of the body and a couch from his apartment — as aggravating factors in the case.

Thompson recommended that Maitland serve 36 years and four months before becoming eligible for parole and proposed a starting point of 30 years.

In delivering the sentence, Justice Pusey said a life sentence was the “appropriate action” for the crime and noted that parole eligibility in such cases typically ranges between 20 and 35 years.

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Donaldson was last seen alive on July 12, 2022, at Maitland’s apartment at the Chelsea Manor complex in New Kingston, St Andrew, after he picked her up from her home the previous evening. She was reported missing on July 13.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that a chain of circumstantial evidence pointed to Maitland as the only person responsible for her death. The State relied on DNA evidence, cellphone data and testimony about Maitland’s actions after Donaldson’s disappearance, including the disposal of furniture from his apartment and attempts to mislead investigators.

In an unsworn statement from the dock, Maitland maintained his innocence, telling the court that he loved Donaldson and would never harm her. He also claimed that a small spot of blood found in his apartment may have resulted from a miscarriage during intimacy.

Despite extensive searches, Donaldson’s body has never been recovered.

The jury deliberated for three hours and 36 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on both charges.

Townsend had earlier indicated that the defence was surprised by the verdict and signalled its intention to appeal.