Jury discharged in Chloe Mitchell murder trial

The judge in the Chloe Mitchell murder trial has discharged the jury.

The 21-year-old Ballymena woman went missing in June 2023 and her remains were found days later.

Brandon Rainey, 30, formerly of James Street, Ballymena, has denied murdering her and preventing the lawful burial of her remains.

The trial began on Wednesday. The trial has been re-listed for the 25 November, when a new jury will be sworn in.

The jury had been due to hear evidence regarding police interviews but the eight women and four men of the jury were called into court about 13:40 GMT.

They were then addressed by Mr Justice Fowler who said that "with regret" he was having to discharge them.

He gave no reasons for the decision but said he will give his reasons in due course, after the conclusion of the trial.

He said "matters" had been brought to his attention and as a result, had made inquiries which meant the trial could not continue at present.

The judge told the jury that "matters were brought to attention which required me during the course of the morning to make a number of enquiries from several persons".

"The content of that really doesn't concern you but as a result of my enquiries and considerations, I regrettably cannot continue with this trial at present.

"In the circumstances, I consider it necessary to discharge you as a jury in this case."

The judge said that this action was "absolutely no reflection on you as a jury".

He added that he was not outlining his reasons "at this stage" but will do so at a later date "and you no doubt will be able to see and hear and read about that later."

The judge cautioned against any "speculation" regarding the reasons for discharging the jury.

Following this, Rainey was remanded back into custody.

The 21-year-old was last seen alive on CCTV in Ballymena town centre in the early hours of 3 June 2023 and an extensive search operation was launched by the PSNI.

Detectives investigating her disappearance later launched a murder inquiry after human remains were discovered in the County Antrim town.