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The legal team representing a man charged with the murder of Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena has stepped down from the case.

A 29-year-old man named Brandon Rainey, currently held in Maghaberry Prison, had his legal representative submit a request at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday morning.

Neil Connor KC stated that this was because the legal team had become “professionally compromised,” and the accused also expressed that he no longer wished for their representation.

The court was informed that the client-lawyer bond had deteriorated.

The experienced lawyer stated, “I understand it’s frustrating at this point,” and added, “he didn’t submit the request without careful consideration.”

The court heard that Rainey had been in touch with other lawyers intending for them to act on his behalf.

However, the senior defense lawyer mentioned that a solicitor’s firm recently informed his junior counsel “that they do not plan to take on this case, but ultimately that is up to the accused.”

Madam Justice McBride approved the request to discontinue services, referring to it as “a very unfortunate development.”

She mentioned that there were repercussions for the action and that significant attempts had been made to move forward with the trial, as this was one of the rare instances where proceedings were continuing despite a lawyers’ strike.

Judge McBride has scheduled a review for Monday and informed Rainey, “it is up to you to find alternative legal counsel.”

She requested his previous defense lawyers to keep their documents prepared in case new solicitors are involved.

She informed Rainey that if he has consulted lawyers, they need to be present in court on Monday.

Where is Chloe Mitchell now?

Chloe Mitchell, aged 21, went missing from Ballymena in early June 2023.

Her vanishing led to multiple thorough searches until her body was discovered approximately a week later.

Rainey was subsequently taken into custody and faced charges of killing Ms. Mitchell between June 2nd and June 5th, 2023.

He is also accused of trying to obstruct the proper and honorable burial of a dead body.