Co Antrim man pleads not guilty to murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena

A Co Antrim man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Chloe Mitchell almost a year ago in Ballymena.Brandon John Rainey appeared via video link from Maghaberry Prison dressed in a grey sweat top and grey tracksuit bottoms.Rainey (27), formerly of James Street in Ballymena, was asked by the court clerk if he could see and hear the court, and he replied he could.

When the first count of murdering 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell on June 3, 2023 which was aggravated by domestic abuse was put to him by the court clerk, Rainey answered "not guilty''.This prompted gasps from some of the dozens of people packed into the public gallery at Belfast Crown Court, many of whom were wearing T-Shirts bearing Chloe's face with the words 'JUSTICE FOR CHLOE' emblazoned on the front.He further pleaded not guilty to attempting to prevent the lawful and decent burial of her body on the same date.Mr Justice O'Hara asked Rainey's defence team to outline to those in the public gallery what were the issues in the case.Defence counsel Neil Connor KC told the court: "The primary focus is the state of mind of the defendant at the material time."We have already instructed an expert consultant psychiatrist to provide a report. A request was made for a face-to-face consultation with Mr Rainey but that proved to be a stumbling block in so far as the expert's continued involvement in the case."As a result of that, my instructing solicitor has engaged with a second expert consultant psychiatrist in the last number of days and he has accepted instructions."There has been extreme difficulty in finding an expert in this jurisdiction as the accused has previous involvement with Knockbracken Healthcare Clinic."A number of consultant psychiatrists in this jurisdiction have had involvement with that institution. He has been in mental health hospitals for some considerable time."Mr Rainey was discharged from Knockbracken a relatively short time before his alleged involvement in these offences."For that reason we thought it best to seek the services of an expert from outside this small jurisdiction.''

Asked by Mr Justice O'Hara was the defendant not denying the alleged acts and that mental health is the issue.Mr Connor replied: "I can't state that My Lord. My wording that I have chosen has been carefully chosen. Our primary concentration is on his state of mind at that time. I am not in a position to put it any higher than that at this stage.''He added that his instructing solicitor has already obtained Rainey's GP notes and records which "run to 1,500 pages which gives an indication of the extent of Mr Rainey's involvement with various institutions in this jurisdiction''.Addressing family members and friends who packed into the public gallery for the hearing, Mr Justice O'Hara explained that the accused's defence team would seek a psychiatric report and will then decide if that is to be relied upon or not.He said that if is to be relied upon, the report will be shared with senior prosecution counsel David Russell KC and Kate McKay BL who will then decide if they need to engage the services of an expert psychiatrist to examine the defendant and prepare a report.Mr Justice O'Hara said he would review the case on Friday, September 20, 2024.The senior judge added: "I am sure for Ms Mitchell's family and friends this seems terribly slow and protracted but this is what happens. We will move things along as quickly as possible as we can.''Following the hearing, Chloe's friends and family gathered outside the court building holding up a banner and a flag. They then marched en masse onto Oxford Street chanting: 'What do we want? Justice For Chloe. When do we want it? Now.''Chloe Mitchell's remains were found days after she went missing last June.The 21-year old was last seen alive on CCTV in Ballymena town centre in the early hours of June 3, 2023 and a search operation was conducted.Detectives investigating her disappearance then launched a murder investigation after human remains were discovered in the Co Antrim town.This led to officers attending a flat in the James Street area, which prompted Rainey's arrest.

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