Cops surprised by murder allegation against Maitland

The allegation that Constable Noel Maitland had murdered his girlfriend reportedly sent shockwaves through the Constant Spring Police Station and Area 5 Police Division in July 2022, Inspector Franz Morrison told the Home Circuit Court on Tuesday as he gave character evidence for the defence.

“I was very surprised. In fact, the entire station family was surprised, the entire division,” he said.

“His general character did not suggest that he was a person who would have done something like that,” Morrison testified.

Morrison, who is now assigned to the Rockfort Police Station, testified before Justice Leighton Pusey that at the time of Donna-Lee Donaldson’s disappearance, he was stationed at Constant Spring as a sub-officer in charge and had direct supervisory responsibility over Maitland.

“I would describe him as a hard-working police officer, very professional,” Morrison said. “He was a very vibrant person who loved his job.”

The inspector told the court that Maitland was generally agreeable and a team player, though at times outspoken.

“He always expressed his opinion, but he never went beyond acceptable limits,” Morrison said, adding that Maitland’s conduct never raised concerns about discipline or professionalism.

VERY SOCIABLE

According to Morrison, Maitland was very sociable.

“If he went into a room, in a little bit of time, he was usually the centre of attention,” Morrison testified. “That was his personality.”

The inspector also gave details of Maitland’s operational role at the Constant Spring lock-ups, describing him as one of the more senior officers assigned there. Morrison said Maitland carried significant responsibility as a force driver, tasked with ensuring that prisoners were transported to court on time and returned safely to their respective facilities.

“He was very serious about his work,” Morrison said. “He would arrive early, he would always be on top of what needed to be done, and he operated without the need for close supervision.”

He added that Maitland was dependable and could be relied on to complete his duties efficiently.

Under cross-examination by Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson, Morrison agreed that while he socialised with Maitland at the station, he did not interact with him socially outside of the work environment. He also said he was unaware of Maitland’s relationship with Donaldson or with the mother of his child.

Morrison further accepted that, based on his more than 24 years in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, he had encountered situations in which individuals acted outside of their perceived character.

The inspector also confirmed that he had given a statement in the case and was aware that it was being relied on by the prosecution, acknowledging that he was also a Crown witness, despite being called to give character evidence for the defence.

Maitland is charged with murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse in relation to the disappearance of Donaldson, 24, an entrepreneur and social media influencer who was reported missing in July 2022.

Donaldson was last seen alive at Maitland’s Chelsea Apartment in St Andrew on July 12.

The police constable, who admitted to bringing Donaldson to his home to continue her birthday celebration, declared his innocence on Tuesday.

“I don’t have any thoughts of hurting Donna-Lee. And I will never, ever, kill Donna-Lee,” Maitland said in a rushed, unsworn statement before the seven-member jury.

The policeman told the court that he and Donaldson had multiple arguments during their three-year relationship, mostly over the mother of his child. He said he would often ignore her during the arguments.

“We have argued about this many times. It has not been physical. It has never, ever been physical,” he said. He added that their final dispute was triggered by repeated calls from the mother of his child and by a photograph of a woman hanging on the wall.

According to Maitland, after that last argument on July 12, 2022, he went to sleep and was later woken by Donaldson, who told him she was leaving.

“She woke me up, and she left the Tuesday. I haven’t seen Donna-Lee since that day,” he said.

He also told the court that the tiny spot of blood found in his apartment could only be from a miscarriage that she had suffered during an intimate moment.

The trial, which began in May 2025, continues today, with both the defence and the prosecution closing their cases.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com