A CO Antrim man charged with the murder of Chloe Mitchell has been examined by a psychiatrist in prison over his mental health problems dating back to childhood, a court heard on Friday.
Brandon John Rainey (28), formerly of James Street in Ballymena, is currently awaiting trial for the murder of the 21-year-old in the town last year.
As well as denying her murder, Rainey has further denied attempting to prevent the lawful burial of Ms Mitchell.
In June 2023 an extensive search for Ms Mitchell was launched in Ballymena and along the river Braid.
The search ultimately focused on an area around a house where the young woman was last seen alive.
Ms Mitchell’s remains were found eight days after she went missing.
During a hearing in May this year, defence lawyers said the issue in the case was the “state of mind of the defendant at the material time’' and a consultant psychiatrist had been instructed to provide a report following a face-to-face meeting with Rainey.
Up to 60 people including family relatives, friends and supporters packed into the public gallery at Belfast Crown Court wearing ‘Justice For Chloe’ t-shirts to hear an update on progress in the case.
In an update, defence counsel Neil Connor KC told Mr Justice O’Hara: “We have received the consultant psychiatrist’s report this week.
“That report, which is very lengthy, is being carefully considered. Mr Rainey has had contact with various mental health services since the age of seven.
“As a result of the contents of the report, I have arranged a consultation with Mr Rainey next week at Maghaberry Prison and instructions are required to be taken from him in the course of that consultation.
“Depending on that consultation, it may be that an addendum report will be required from the consultant psychiatrist or we seek another report from a suitably qualified expert psychiatrist.
“At this stage I am not relying on the consultant psychiatrists report and it has not been served on the Crown or the court.’’
Asked by the judge where that left the case, Mr Connor said he was “required to consult with Mr Rainey about the contents and conclusions of the report’‘.
He added: “There have been various psychiatric findings in respect of Mr Rainey, including paranoid schizophrenia, borderline and mixed personality disorders, substance abuse disorders and so on.
“There are a catalogue of factors at play in the complicated background to this case and that requires careful examination and consideration going forward.
“I would ask for a relatively short period of time to consult with Mr Rainey and to formulate a way forward thereafter.
Mr Justice O’Hara said he would review the case again on Friday, October 4.