A senior superintendent testified in court Tuesday that Kathy-Ann Smith, the mother of murder accused Constable Noel Maitland’s child, initially agreed to give a statement to police but later changed her mind — allegedly on the advice of a relative.
The revelation came during cross-examination in the Home Circuit Court, where Maitland is on trial for the murder and unlawful disposal of the body of his girlfriend, 24-year-old Donna-Lee Donaldson, who was reported missing on July 12, 2022.
Donaldson, a popular social media influencer, was last seen at Maitland’s Chelsea Manor apartment in New Kingston.
Key Testimony from Senior Cop
The superintendent, who was the crime officer at the Half-Way-Tree Police Station during the time of Donaldson’s disappearance, told the court that he had no knowledge Smith had left Jamaica during the investigation. He also said she was initially cooperative.
“She had agreed to give a statement but later said she got advice from ‘Uncle Cable’ not to do so,” he told the court.
Maitland Cooperated with Police, Court Hears
Under questioning from King’s Counsel Larry Smith, one of Maitland’s five defence attorneys, the superintendent detailed the level of cooperation shown by the accused officer:
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Maitland gave police access to both his apartment and his BMW vehicle.
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He also arranged for a Toyota vehicle belonging to Smith to be examined.
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He made his licensed firearm available for inspection by investigators.
The officer confirmed that Maitland had no objections to giving a statement early in the probe and that the investigation also involved the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (C-TOC), which processed both vehicles and the apartment.
Settee Became Focal Point
The court also heard that the investigation led officers to a car wash, where a settee believed to have come from Maitland’s apartment was retrieved by a truck driver. However, the superintendent admitted that while he testified the settee was "brownish burgundy," he did not include that description in his original statement.
Legal Team and Next Court Date
Maitland is represented by a team of five lawyers, including Christopher Townsend, Sanjay Smith, Chadwick Berry, and Kaysian Kennedy Sherman.
The trial resumes on July 23.
Our Opinion
The testimony raises troubling questions about witness cooperation and possible external influence, particularly given the familial connection reportedly advising against testimony. While Maitland’s level of cooperation may support a defense narrative of transparency, the absence of critical early statements — especially from someone as close to him as his child’s mother — leaves lingering gaps in the timeline. With a high-profile victim and national attention, this case continues to underscore the fragile intersection between personal relationships, public accountability, and justice.
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