Forensic analyst says blood found on curtains in Noel Maitland’s apartment
THE court heard evidence from a government forensic analyst Wednesday, that samples of blood were found on curtains inside Constable Noel Maitland’s Chelsea Manor apartment in St Andrew.
Maitland is on trial for murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse in relation to the July 12, 2022 disappearance of his social media influencer girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson. Donaldson, who was last seen at the Chelsea Manor complex, was reported missing on July 13, 2022.
Maitland is being tried in the Home Circuit Court.
The forensic analyst told the court that she made a number of important observations when she processed the living and dining room of Maitland’s apartment on July 21, 2022, from which she formed certain opinions.
“There was no evidence of forced entry into the apartment. An individual was injured in the apartment. Blood from an injured individual came into contact with a curtain in the living and dining room area. A kitchen mat was removed from the floor by the kitchen sink. Women’s clothing was found in a black suitcase in the living and dining room. It was for a person of a small body frame,” she said.
The forensic analyst said that the uppermost lock on the apartment door was broken on the inside, with portions missing.
She shared that she observed a brown fibre barrel, a couch, and a plug-in air freshener, among other things.
She said the scent of the air freshener was noticeable throughout the living and dining room area. She also said there were black balaclavas, a shirt, a pair of trousers, a mini knapsack, a flower pot, and an entertainment stand. She added that the clothing in the black suitcase were two panties and a size-six black dress.
The analyst said that her main task was to process the living and dining room, but she was able to make observations of other areas, including the kitchen.
A balcony area was also processed.
The analyst was shown a number of photographs and asked to identify and describe what she noticed in them.
She told the court that she also went to the Matilda’s Corner Police Station in St Andrew to process a truck in relation to the case.
No blood was found in the truck, according to the analyst.
Meanwhile, trial judge Leighton Pusey advised the seven-member jury not to form any opinions in the case, as they have not yet heard all the evidence in the matter.
“We always remind you not to jump to conclusions. There is a lot more to come,” Pusey said as he adjourned the case until today.
