The jury in the Noel Maitland murder trial has commenced deliberations.

Justice Leighton Pusey concluded his summation to the seven-member panel this morning, telling them to approach their decision with no emotion and to make it based on evidence.

Maitland is on trial for the murder of his girlfriend Donna-lee Donaldson.

He is also charged with preventing the lawful burial of a corpse.

Donaldson was reported missing sometime around July 13, 2022.

On Monday, the prosecution said it believed all the evidence presented in court proves that Maitland is responsible for the death of Donaldson.

Meanwhile, the defence in its closing argument on Tuesday said the evidence presented by the prosecution is weak.

The defence urged the jury to acquit if the puzzle doesn’t fit.

This as the prosecution described the case against Maitland as a jigsaw puzzle, stating that all the pieces fit and point in one direction.