Chloe murder accused to stand trial for preventing lawful burial

THERE were emotional scenes in court yesterday as Brandon Rainey, who is already accused of killing Chloe Mitchell, was ordered to stand trial for attempting to prevent her lawful burial, as well as her murder.

Appearing via videolink from prison at Ballymena Magistrates Court, where Ms Mitchell’s grieving family and friends wearing T-shirts which read ‘Justice for Chloe’ filled the public gallery, Rainey (26) confirmed he had received papers and statements for the preliminary inquiry (PE) and that he was aware of the charges against him.

Before court proceedings took place, family and friends of Ms Mitchell paraded to the courthouse holding a banner which also read ‘Justice for Chloe’.

Rainey, from James Street in Ballymena, is charged with the murder of Ms Mitchell (21) on June 3 last year, and also that he “attempted to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a deceased body contrary to Article 3 (1) of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and Common Law” in an offence alleged to be aggravated by domestic abuse.

Yesterday is the first time that charge has been laid against Rainey.

Ms Mitchell was last seen on CCTV in the early hours of Saturday, June 3, in Ballymena town centre, and detectives investigating her disappearance launched a murder inquiry after suspected human remains were found in Ballymena.

During the brief PE, a prosecuting lawyer submitted there was a case to answer against Rainey, while defence counsel Neil Moore told the court he had no contrary submissions.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said he was “satisfied there is a prima facie case”.

Rainey was told by the court clerk that, although not obliged to, he had the right to call evidence and witnesses to the court and to comment on the charges. He declined to exercise those rights, telling the court he had nothing to say “at this time”.

Remanding Rainey back into custody, District Judge Broderick returned the case to Laganside Crown Court for trial.

Legal aid was also extended to allow a senior defence barrister to be instructed. An arraignment was scheduled to be heard on May 24.

Rainey will be expected to plead guilty or not guilty to Ms Mitchell’s murder on that date.