BURSTThis article discusses intimate partner violence and may be triggering to some readers. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse contact the Kelowna Women’s Shelter 24/7 support line at 250-763-1040 or text 236-970-0704. In an emergency, call 911.
Accused killer James Plover is facing a new charge.
The Kelowna man accused of killing his estranged ex-wife Bailey McCourt in a brazen daytime attack on July 4, 2025 is facing a new charge for failing to comply with a no contact order.
The offence is alleged to have occurred Sept. 24, 2025 in Pitt Meadows. The charge was laid on Apr. 30 and Plover appeared at the Judicial Case Manager’s office on July 22 to fix a future court date.
Plover was in custody at the time of the alleged offence for charges related to the death of McCourt.
On the day of McCourt’s death, Plover had been found guilty of assault by choking and three counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm from an incident in 2024 at the Kelowna Courthouse. Plover was not held in custody after the guilty verdict and was free to leave the courthouse with a future date for sentencing.
Hours after the verdict, Plover is alleged to have killed McCourt and severely injured her coworker, Carrie Wiebe, outside the victims’ workplace. Plover fled the scene in a vehicle and was arrested in Lake Country the same day after a police chase ensued.
On Nov. 27, 2025, Plover was sentenced to 12 months for the 2024 charges, but had only 147 days left after time served.
Plover is forgoing his right to a pre-trial hearing for the charges related to McCourt’s death. The accused was originally charged with second-degree murder, but the charges were upgraded to first-degree murder on Nov. 25, 2025.
McCourt’s family fought for better protection for victim’s of intimate partner violence, and on June 17 of this year, Bill C-225, also known as Bailey’s Law, received royal assent.
The bill strengthens Criminal Code provisions related to intimate partner violence, including classifying murder charges involving a documented history of coercive control as first-degree murder and imposing life sentences for some manslaughter convictions, with no eligibility for parole for at least 10 years.
It also allows the court to consider life in prison sentences in cases of manslaughter involving intimate partner violence, and increases the detention period of evidence seized from three months to 180 days.
Plover’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 31.