Lady Donaldson unfit to stand trial, court finds
Lady Donaldson has been declared unfit to stand trial due to mental health issues. Instead of a traditional trial, she will undergo a trial of facts to determine if she committed the alleged offenses. Her husband, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, faces separate charges and is set to undergo a standard trial next week.
- ▪Lady Donaldson is unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds.
- ▪She faces a trial of facts regarding five charges of aiding and abetting.
- ▪Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offenses, including rape.
- ▪The judge will decide if the trial of facts will occur alongside Sir Jeffrey's trial or separately.
- ▪Dr. Christine Kennedy, a psychiatrist, testified that Lady Donaldson cannot participate in legal proceedings.
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Lady Donaldson unfit to stand trial, court findsJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePA MediaLady Donaldson denies five charges relating to aiding and abettingLady Eleanor Donaldson, the wife of former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has been declared unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds.Instead, Lady Donaldson will face what is known as a trial of facts, which occurs when a defendant cannot be tried because of serious ill-health.Judge Paul Ramsey made the decision after hearing medical evidence at Newry Crown Court on Wednesday.Lady Donaldson, 59, and her husband, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, deny a combined 23 sex abuse charges.
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