Brandon Rainey, 30, formerly of James Street in Ballymena, faces trial on 3 November at Belfast Crown Court for the murder of 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell on 3 June 2023 and for preventing the lawful burial of her remains. Rainey denies both charges. The trial date was confirmed by a judge on Thursday following a series of legal complications that have delayed proceedings since the initial investigation.
Mitchell's body was discovered in June 2023, approximately one week after she went missing. The discovery prompted a murder investigation that led to Rainey's arrest and subsequent charging.
A psychologist has been instructed to complete an assessment of Rainey's mental state, with two additional sessions scheduled during September. The judge directed that the psychologist's report must be finalised by mid-October at the latest to ensure the trial can proceed as scheduled on 3 November. Rainey remains in custody at HMP Maghaberry pending trial.
The case has experienced significant delays over recent months. Rainey was originally scheduled to stand trial in March 2026, but his previous legal team withdrew from the case, citing that they had been "professionally compromised" and that Rainey had informed them he no longer wished them to represent him. This withdrawal created a period of legal uncertainty as Rainey worked to secure new legal representation.
A new defence team, headed by senior counsel Des Fahy KC and instructed by Phoenix Law, took on the case several weeks after the previous team's departure. Their appointment has allowed proceedings to move forward toward the November trial date.
What happens next?
The case has been scheduled for a further review hearing on 18 September, at which point the court will assess progress on the psychological assessment and confirm final arrangements for the trial.
