Prominent attorney-at-law Christopher Townsend, who is representing Constable Noel Maitland, says his client is maintaining his innocence in the wake of being charged with murder in connection with the disappearance of social media influencer Donna-lee Donaldson.

Townsend argued that the evidence presented in a press conference by the Jamaica Constabulary Force this afternoon appears to be “circumstantial in nature”.

“I can confirm that my client has been charged for murder as the press conference earlier on did indicate. Of course, the evidence that they’re relying on is circumstantial,” Townsend said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey made the announcement at a press conference earlier today.

READ: Cop boyfriend charged with murder in Donna-Lee Donaldson case

Townsend argued that an arrest doesn’t imply or affirm guilt.

“The fact that you’re charged for something doesn’t mean that you’re guilty of it,” Townsend told OBSERVER ONLINE.

“…In an instance such as this where they’re relying purely on circumstantial evidence, it would appear. I have not yet seen the material they’re relying on, I can only go from what the press conference has indicated. He (Maitland) remains resolute in his position and he wishes to have his day in court, which I hope will be very soon,” Townsend said.

Maitland, who is assigned to the St. Andrew North Police Division, was arrested last Thursday by detectives from the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch on Wednesday in relation to her disappearance.

READ: Cop boyfriend of Donna-Lee Donaldson arrested

Donaldson, whose disappearance has drawn nationwide attention, was first reported missing to the police on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. She was believed to have gone to spend the night with Constable Maitland before she was reported missing.

READ: JCF says significant progress has been made into the disappearance of Donna- Lee Donaldson

According to police reports, on July 11, about 10:00 pm, she was picked up at her house by Maitland in a black BMW motor car to spend the night with him at an apartment located at Chelsea Manor.

However, on July 12, Donaldson’s mother, Sophia Lugg, reported to police that she had not seen or heard from her daughter.

The police are operating under the theory that Donaldson was killed on July 12, based on forensic evidence.