Kelowna man accused of killing ex-wife convicted of assault the same day

The man accused of killing his ex-wife in broad daylight on a Kelowna street last week was convicted on domestic violence charges earlier that same day.

James Plover was initially charged with assault by choking and uttering threats on June 23, 2024, according to the BC Prosecution Service. That much was clear from court records. But it wasn’t until the prosecution service clarified the matter today that the matter became clear.

He went on trial on April 16 and 17 this year and he was convicted on all four charges — three counts of uttering threats and assault by choking — on July 4. He was set to be sentenced Sept. 16 after a pre-sentence report was ordered by the court. The pre-sentencing report was set to have a psychological component.

The same day he was convicted, he allegedly killed his ex-wife Bailey Plover, who was going by her maiden name, Bailey McCourt.

After his initial arrest, he was released the next day on a $500 cash deposit and “extensive protective conditions”. The prosecution service didn’t say what those protective conditions were.

Plover was hit with two more counts of uttering threats the day after he was released.

Police were called to the 1900-block of Enterprise Way around 1 p.m. on July 4, according to a press release from Kelowna RCMP.

Plover allegedly killed McCourt in broad daylight after getting into a collision. Plover and another victim were taken to hospital after the attack.

McCourt died of her injuries and the other victim is still recovering from serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Plover has been charged with second-degree murder and is currently in custody. His next court date is July 10.

The names of Plover’s victims in the domestic violence case are subject to a publication ban.

His initial 2024 case with the assault and uttering threats charges was stayed since all four charges were brought up in a new case file.