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Trial Underway for Donna James Accused of Assisting Son After Talbot Green Murder
A 51-year-old woman, Donna James, has appeared in Cardiff Crown Court, facing charges related to the alleged assistance of her son, Jordan Mills-Smith, following the murder of Joanne Penney in Talbot Green. James denied the accusation that she helped her son purchase a coach ticket to London after he was involved in the killing.
Joanne Penney was discovered dead in a block of flats in Talbot Green on March 9, 2025, having suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. The court heard that her murder resulted from a conflict between organised crime gangs.
The prosecution alleges that while Renaldo Baptiste did not pull the trigger, he is culpable for Penney’s murder as part of a turf war involving rival drug-dealers. Alongside Baptiste, other defendants include Molly Cooper—charged with acquiring ammunition without a certificate— and Donna James and Laura John, both accused of assisting an offender.
Five individuals have already been convicted regarding the murder of Penney, including Marcus Huntley, who fired the fatal shot, as well as Jordan Mills-Smith, Joshua Gordon, Melissa Quailey-Dashper, and Kristina Ginova.
During her testimony, James categorically denied aiding Mills-Smith in escaping Wales to his father’s residence in Suffolk, asserting that she only found out about the incident after it occurred, mistakenly believing her son was experiencing gambling-related issues.
The prosecution contends that James transmitted a photograph of her mother’s bank card to Mills-Smith’s girlfriend, which was used to facilitate the purchase of the coach ticket from Cardiff to London. In her statement, she claimed, “I have nothing to do with this,” and has asserted that she was unaware of her son’s situation with the police.
James described her relationship with Mills-Smith as fraught, indicating that he had been raised by her mother. She also disclosed her own struggles with addiction and chronic health conditions, stating she has been advised to prepare for her own potential decline.
James stated that Mills-Smith mentioned a desire to visit his father due to health issues, but maintained that she did not know the real reason for his departure. Throughout her questioning, she consistently denied any intention of impeding police actions against her son.
The ongoing trial has highlighted significant tensions surrounding organised crime in Wales and raises questions about familial involvement in criminal activities.
The case continues to unfold in Cardiff Crown Court.
