Bid for Mistrial in Donaldson Murder Case Rejected

GRAND HAVEN, MI (WHTC) – Ottawa County Circuit Court Judge Ed Post ruled that convicted murderer Victor Donaldson will not get a new trial based on a six-page computer printout found in one of the juror books that was taken into the deliberation room. The attorney for the 17-year-old Holland man had sought a mistrial for this violation of court regulations. None of the 12 jurors and two alternates admitted placing the printout in the book. Donaldson was found guilty of second-degree murder for stabbing 18-year-old Ja’Paris Rodgers to death during an altercation off of Riley Street on Holland’s North Side in August of 2014. The discovery of the printout had delayed Donaldson’s sentencing, which will now be held sometime next month, and he could get up to life in prison. Donaldson’s attorney told reporters that the printout will be grounds for taking the matter before the state Court of Appeals.