Cyberbullying Case Against Nichole McDonald Headed to High Court

Thirty-eight-year-old Nichole Gilda McDonald remains on remand after appearing in court today, where she learned that her cyberbullying case involving former Commissioner of Police Chester Williams will now proceed to the High Court. McDonald, who remains unrepresented, was brought from the Belize Central Prison to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where she was informed that the Director of Public Prosecutions has issued a directive for the matter to be dealt with on indictment rather than summarily in the lower court. The directive, dated June 30th, 2026, was presented to the court, and McDonald was also provided with full disclosure consisting of 30 pages. (COURT VO) The Senior Magistrate explained to McDonald that the case will now proceed through a Preliminary Inquiry, which has been scheduled for August 14th. McDonald’s appearance comes about one month after she was remanded to the Belize Central Prison following the revocation of her bail in a separate matter. She was initially granted bail on June 5th after being charged with six offenses, including common assault, aggravated assault, damage to property, insulting words, and wounding. The charges stemmed from an alleged incident involving police officers and a civilian. However, three days later, McDonald was charged in connection with an alleged incident at the Matron Roberts Clinic, where she is accused of harming Doctor Andre Lucien Castillo and assaulting nurse Ursula Williams. Following those new charges, her bail was revoked, and she was remanded. McDonald is scheduled to return to court on August 3rd in relation to the clinic incident, while her six other charges are set for July 27th. Outside of court, McDonald expressed concern for her five children, saying her two eldest children are now caring for their younger siblings while she remains behind bars. McDonald has maintained that she feels victimized and targeted.