Constable Noel Maitland is on trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson
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Racquel Porter reports
Constable Noel Maitland, who has been on trial since May for the murder of his girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson, on Tuesday maintained his innocence, telling the court that he did not kill her.
"I would never hurt my girlfriend. I did not kill Donna-Lee Donaldson," Mr. Maitland declared, professing his innocence.
Ms. Donaldson, a 24-year-old entrepreneur, was reported missing on July 13, 2022.
In an unsworn statement lasting nearly 12 minutes, Mr. Maitland addressed the court from the dock, drawing the attention of all present.
Mr. Maitland told the court that he picked up Ms. Donaldson on the Monday night (July 11, 2022) to continue celebrating her birthday from the previous evening.
According to him, they watched television and later went to bed. He said that throughout their three-year relationship, disagreements often arose regarding the mother of his child.
On the night in question, he said an argument began after his child's mother called, and later escalated over a photograph on the wall. Emphasising that their disputes were never physical, Mr. Maitland said he had no thoughts of hurting Ms. Donaldson. He said he went to sleep, explaining that he usually ignores her when arguments arise.
According to Mr. Maitland, Ms. Donaldson woke him up and left the apartment on Tuesday morning.
Addressing forensic evidence, Mr. Maitland sought to explain a tiny spot of blood found in his apartment. He said Ms. Donaldson had suffered two miscarriages during their relationship, one of which occurred at his apartment, and that blood could have been transferred during sexual activity on the balcony.
Mr. Maitland said he listened carefully to expert testimony, indicating the blood could have been more than a year old, and argued that the prosecution failed to properly address that possibility.
He insisted that he cooperated fully with the police, stating that he handed over his motor vehicle and assisted investigators in gaining access to the vehicle used by his child's mother.
He added that he cooperated even when others refused to give statements.
Rejecting the testimony of a carwash employee who claimed there was "blood like rice grain" on his coach, Mr. Maitland said no blood was detected on the coach or the truck used to transport it, and questioned why it was even introduced into the trial.
Turning to another witness, Mr. Maitland said he disapproved of the individual's lifestyle and would play Buju Banton's Boom Bye Bye whenever the witness and his friends became noisy.
He denied telling the witness to delete footage due to an impending promotion, noting that the witness later testified in court that he could not remember.
Addressing the testimony of a truck driver, Mr. Maitland said he had nothing to hide and was grateful that the driver secretly recorded their interaction.
In closing, Mr. Maitland said the prosecution had established his good character and that his character witness, who is expected to testify on Wednesday, would support that position.
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