The trial for a man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his estranged ex-wife is being delayed as Crown counsel has received another disclosure set from police.
James Plover is facing a first-degree murder charge after Bailey McCourt died following a violent assault in a Kelowna parking lot on July 4, 2025.
Plover was to appear in court on Monday, March 2, to schedule a trial date. Now, however, the scheduling has been adjourned until Tuesday, April 7, at 2 p.m. as Crown counsel needs more time to share evidence with the defence after receiving another disclosure set from the police.
During Monday’s proceedings, various members of the public attended the courtroom, wearing “Justice For Bailey” shirts and sweaters.
Several hours before the July 2025 assault, Plover had been found guilty of choking and uttering threats stemming from an intimate partner violence incident that happened a year prior.
After the assault was reported, police pursued Plover and later arrested him on Glenmore Road, near Lake Country.
McCourt and the other assault victim were taken to a hospital for their injuries, and McCourt eventually succumbed to them.
Originally, Plover was charged with second-degree murder in relation to McCourt’s death. On Nov. 17, his charge was upgraded to first-degree murder and dangerous operation of a vehicle.
This incident has garnered national attention and brought the conversation surrounding intimate partner violence to the forefront.
On Sept. 18, Kamloops MP Frank Caputo introduced Bill C-225, also known as Bailey’s Law, to the House of Commons as a private members’ bill, which declared all domestic violence killings would be treated as first-degree murder.
Then on Dec. 3, Bailey’s Law passed second reading in the House of Commons in a unanimous decision in which Members of Parliament responded with a standing ovation.
Following the upgraded murder charge, Plover was sentenced to another 147 days in jail stemming from the intimate partner violence incident on June 23, 2024. In total, a 12-month sentence was handed down by Judge Dave Ruse. At the time, Plover had already been in jail for 145 days. Due to enhanced credit, that equalled 218 days, meaning he only needs to serve the remaining 147 days, which will total 12 months.
These offences were determined to be intimate partner violence. Because of this, a ban restricts publication of the victim’s identity.
– with files from Jen Zielinski and Jordy Cunningham