The trial concerning the murder of 21-year-old Ballymena woman Chloe Mitchell was abruptly halted on Tuesday afternoon as a judge discharged the jury at Belfast Crown Court.
The trial, which had been underway for just over a week, was expected to proceed with evidence regarding police interviews conducted with the accused, 30-year-old Brandon Rainey. Those interviews were recorded in June 2023, shortly after Ms. Mitchell went missing from the defendant’s James Street flat and just days before her remains were discovered in bins near his property.
Instead of hearing witness testimony, the jury of eight women and four men was summoned into the courtroom at 1:40 p.m. Presiding judge Mr. Justice Fowler addressed the panel to announce that he was discharging them from their duties, citing “matters outside of my control.”
“Matters were brought to attention which required me during the course of the morning to make a number of enquiries from several persons,” Mr. Justice Fowler told the court. “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.”
The judge stressed that the decision to discharge the panel was not a reflection on their conduct, thanking the jurors for the attention they had devoted to the case thus far. While he declined to outline the specific reasons for the discharge immediately, he indicated that he would provide an explanation in court at a later date. He cautioned the public and those present against speculating on the reasons behind the sudden turn of events.
“Accordingly, it is with regret that I discharge you from further sitting on this jury,” the judge concluded.
Following the discharge, the case was promptly re-listed for trial to begin again on November 25. It is expected that a new jury will be selected and sworn in at that time.
Brandon Rainey was remanded back into custody following the proceedings. He has entered pleas of not guilty to the charge of murdering Ms. Mitchell on June 3, 2023—a charge that includes an aggravation of domestic abuse—as well as a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a body.
The legal process will resume later this month as the court seeks to move forward with the trial of the case that shocked the Ballymena community last year. Further details regarding the reasons for Tuesday’s discharge are expected to be disclosed by the court in due course.
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