Man accused of Chloe Mitchell murder secures new legal representation

A judge has stressed the “urgency” of progressing the Chloe Mitchell murder case after the man accused of the crime secured new legal representation.

Ms Mitchell was found dead in Ballymena days after going missing in June 2023.

Brandon John Rainey, 29, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry and who is formerly of James Street in Ballymena, has been charged with murdering Ms Mitchell and attempting to prevent the burial of her body. He pleaded not guilty to those charges at a hearing in 2024.

The case has been exempted from the ongoing barristers’ strike over legal aid fees, but it was hit with an unrelated delay earlier this month when Rainey and his legal representatives parted ways.

Belfast Crown Court heard on Friday that the defendant has secured new representation.

Des Fahey KC told judge Madam Justice McBride that he had agreed to take on Rainey’s defence.

However, Mr Fahey said he had yet to receive the papers in the case, with the defendant’s new solicitors – Phoenix Law – expected to take possession of the files later on Friday.

The judge said there was an “impetus and an urgency” to get the case dealt with.

“There’s urgency in terms of this case proceeding,” she said, noting that the Criminal Bar Association had agreed to exempt it from the strike action.

“And for all of those reasons, there is an impetus and an urgency in dealing with this case as soon as possible.”

Mr Fahey assured the judge he would be giving the case his “full attention” when he received the papers.

The judge said it was her hope that proceedings could progress “as soon as possible after the Easter recess”.

The case was listed for another review hearing on Friday March 27.