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A report from Radio Jamaica's Racquel Porter
A High Court Judge has ruled that there are no conditions that can adequately manage the risk of offering bail to Constable Noel Maitland.
The cop, who is charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson, was on Thursday denied bail when he appeared in the Home Circuit Court.
He is to reappear in court on February 9 next year for a plea and case management hearing.
A trial date is expected to be set on that occasion.
Justice Vinette Graham Allen, while delivering her ruling on Thursday, said the court is satisfied that if the defendant is released on bail, he will fail to surrender to custody, commit an offence while on bail, interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice whether in relation to himself or any other person.
In arriving at the decision, the judge said the prosecution has shown the court the alleged actions and conduct of Mr. Maitland prior to his arrest, including his attempts to dispose of and conceal potential evidence, aided by other persons who are still at large.
The prosecution also made the case for alleged interference with potential witnesses.
Justice Graham Allen said the court is of the view that the cop used his nine years of service to support his conduct and action to conceal and dispose of possible evidence.
She also took into consideration that the prosecution's case is based on circumstantial evidence.
Ms Donaldson's body has not been found.
The 24-year-old social media influencer was reported missing on July 13, two days after she was last seen in Mr. Maitland's company.
He was subsequently charged with murder after investigators reported that they had collected forensic evidence in his apartment pointing to her death.
Constable Maitland is also charged with preventing the lawful burial of a corpse.
'Justice will be served'
Ms Donaldson's uncle, Neil Lugg, who was among a handful of protestors outside the Home Circuit Court on Thursday morning, reacted to the further remanding of Noel Maitland.
Mr. Lugg said he strongly believes justice will be served.
"People of Jamaica and around the world, unuh see how it go when we fight fi justice? There's a lot of people did seh nut'n nah come outta dis. Now, we prove seh justice can serve if we come together," he said.
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