Murder suspect says assault sentence ‘doesn’t matter’ next to how he tortures himself

A Kelowna man accused of killing his estranged wife last summer is now facing an elevated charge of first degree murder.

VANCOUVER — The British Columbia man accused of killing Bailey McCourt says it “doesn’t matter” how long he is sentenced to serve in a separate case where he is accused of assault by strangling and uttering threats.

James Plover expressed remorse Monday in his brief remarks in a provincial court in Kelowna, saying he will torture himself until he dies.

The court had previously heard that Plover and the victim became embroiled in a heated argument, and he choked the complainant as evidenced by neck bruising shown in photographs presented to the court.

His trial heard that Plover at one point grabbed a machete and destroyed a dining room table and a painting, and expressed “suicidal ideations” to his parents before he was arrested.

The identities of the victims in the strangling case are the subject of a publication ban.

Prosecutor Jessica Patterson recommended 16 to 18 months, less 206 days for time already served.

The Crown is also seeking a no-contact condition, a DNA order and a firearm prohibition, she told the judge Monday.

Patterson said the Crown wants Plover to concurrently serve four to six months on each of the three threat charges, followed by a 12-month sentence for the strangling charge.

Plover’s lawyer, Cory Armour, argued that nine months would be an appropriate sentence for the choking conviction and any time for the threats should be served “concurrent to that.”

Plover was convicted in the case on July 4, but was then freed on $500 bail, just hours before he is accused of killing his ex-wife McCourt with a hammer in a Kelowna parking lot.

He originally faced a second-degree murder charge over the killing of McCourt, but the prosecution service said the charge was upgraded on Friday to first-degree murder, which brings a life sentence without chance of parole for 25 years.

A charge of dangerous driving causing bodily harm was also laid in connection to a second victim on the day McCourt was attacked.

The judge did not deliver a sentence for the threats or choking convictions on Monday and instead set a return date of Nov. 27.

Plover is also scheduled to make his first appearance on the murder and dangerous-driving charges on Nov. 25.

This report by Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press, was first published Nov. 17, 2025.