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Kelowna Parking Lot Killing Prompts Calls for Bail Reform

Lawmakers join advocates demanding tougher bail conditions after James Plover’s release led to Bailey McCourt’s death

Bailey Plover is shown in an undated handout photo. Kelowna RCMP say Plover and another woman were assaulted in an attack on July 4. She later died of her injuries, and her estranged husband James Plover has been charged with second-degree murder.

Overview

  • On July 4, James Plover was convicted of choking his estranged partner, uttering threats and destroying property with a machete, but his sentencing was delayed for a psychiatric assessment and he was released on $500 bail
  • Less than three hours after his release, Plover allegedly attacked Bailey McCourt in a Kelowna parking lot; she later died and he has been charged with second-degree murder
  • Provincial court recordings reveal no discussion of risks posed by Plover despite his violent history, highlighting gaps in judicial oversight and risk assessment
  • Protesters—including McCourt’s mother—have rallied outside the Kelowna courthouse as public pressure mounts and Premier David Eby and Kelowna MP Stephen Fuhr promise legislative reviews of bail procedures
  • Plover’s past role as a jail guard with an Enhanced Reliability Clearance has raised concerns over institutional vetting and background screening for positions of trust