KINGSTON, Jamaica — “Blood like rice grain!”
That was the chilling description from a key witness within the high-profile homicide trial of Constable Noel Maitland, who stands accused of killing his girlfriend, social media influencer Donna-Lee Donaldson, whose physique has nonetheless not been discovered.
The witness — testifying through video hyperlink from abroad — recounted a disturbing scene at a Lyndhurst Highway automotive wash on July 13, 2022, the place she claims a blood-soaked sofa belonging to Maitland was introduced for cleansing.
She described a “brown-skinned, quick, thick-bodied man” — believed to be Maitland — driving in round 9:00 a.m., then returning round 1:00 p.m. with two males and a blue-and-white truck carrying a three-piece brown sofa.
Whereas cleansing the appropriate nook of the furnishings, she stated:
“It pink and it smelled uncooked… Jesus, this yah one yah should useless or him bleed out.”
The court docket fell silent as she described “blood like rice grain” seeping from the sofa, a powerful odor, and flies swarming the world.
She additionally stated one of many males introduced vinegar to attempt to masks the odor.
The defence objected to the witness’s feedback, calling them speculative, however Justice Leighton Pusey allowed the testimony, stating it could possibly be addressed throughout cross-examination.
The sofa, she stated, remained on the premises till the following day, July 14, nonetheless moist and surrounded by flies — then vanished.
Police later visited the placement, took pictures, and reviewed CCTV footage.
Throughout the harrowing testimony, Donna-Lee’s mom broke down in tears and needed to depart the courtroom.
Maitland, a police constable and music producer, is charged with homicide and stopping the lawful burial of a physique.
The trial is about to proceed on Tuesday, July 29.
