Maitland uttered ‘Jah Jah’ on being arrested, court told

In a high-profile murder trial unfolding at the Home Circuit Court in Kingston, Constable Noel Maitland faces charges related to the disappearance and alleged murder of his girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson, a social media influencer. The case has drawn significant attention due to the dramatic circumstances surrounding Maitland’s arrest on July 27, 2022. During the arrest, Maitland reportedly uttered the phrase “Jah Jah,” a common Jamaican expression of disillusionment, which has since become a focal point in the trial. A detective sergeant from the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime (C-TOC) branch provided detailed testimony about the arrest, describing how Maitland was apprehended at a law office on Duke Street. The detective recounted that Maitland was in conversation with his attorney, Christopher Townsend, when he was formally arrested for murder. Maitland was cautioned, and his response of “Jah, Jah” was noted. The detective also testified about the seizure of Maitland’s cellphone, which was later submitted to the Communication, Forensics and Cybercrime Division (CFCD) for analysis. During cross-examination, Townsend challenged the detective’s account, suggesting that Maitland neither made the “Jah, Jah” remark nor claimed ownership of the confiscated phone. Maitland, visibly disagreeing with the detective’s testimony, shook his head in the prisoner’s dock. The trial continues as the court examines the evidence and testimonies surrounding this complex case.