A Kelowna man charged with first-degree murder in a July 2025 daytime killing has waived his preliminary hearing and will proceed directly to trial.
Kelowna Murder Case Heads Straight to Trial
A shocking daytime attack in Kelowna is now moving swiftly toward trial.
James Plover, the man charged in the killing of his estranged ex-wife, has chosen to skip a key court step. Instead of holding a preliminary inquiry, he will head directly to trial. That decision clears the path for prosecutors and brings the case closer to a courtroom showdown.
Waiving the Preliminary Inquiry
On Feb. 13, BC Prosecution Services confirmed that Plover gave up his right to a preliminary hearing. Normally, that hearing would test whether there is enough evidence for a trial. However, by waiving it, Plover allows the case to proceed without that extra review.
As a result, the focus now shifts to setting a trial date. He is scheduled to return to court on March 2 to arrange the next steps.
The July 4 Attack
The charges stem from a violent assault that happened in a Kelowna parking lot on July 4, 2025.
Bailey McCourt, also known as Bailey Plover before the couple separated, was attacked in broad daylight. Another woman was hurt during the same incident. Both were rushed to hospital. Sadly, McCourt later died from her injuries.
Police quickly launched a search. Officers arrested Plover just a few kilometres away on Glenmore Road.
Initially, he faced a second-degree murder charge. However, on Nov. 25, 2025, that charge was upgraded to first-degree murder.
A Troubling Timeline
The timeline has raised serious questions.
Earlier on the same day as the fatal assault, Plover had been found guilty of choking and uttering threats against McCourt. That conviction related to a separate intimate partner violence incident from about a year earlier.
Even so, he was not in custody at the time of McCourt’s death. Instead, he was out on release under strict protective conditions and a $500 bond while awaiting sentencing. Later, he received a 12-month sentence for the choking conviction. With credit for time served, he had 147 days remaining at the time of sentencing in late November 2025.
Several hours after that guilty finding in July, the deadly attack took place.
Community Impact and What’s Next
This case has deeply shaken the Kelowna community. Moreover, it has reignited conversations about intimate partner violence and court release conditions.
Now, attention turns to the upcoming court date. The March 2 appearance will set the stage for a trial that many in the community will be watching closely.
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse, support is available. In Kelowna, the Kelowna Women’s Shelter offers 24/7 help at 250-763-1040 or by text at 236-970-0704. In an emergency, call 911.
As this case moves forward, one thing is clear: the courtroom will soon become the next battleground in a tragedy that has already left a lasting mark.
