Dressed in your favorite color pink, family and friends Bailey McCourt packed Kelowna, British Columbia court on Monday afternoon to see the man accused of killing her be sentenced on previous charges of strangulation and making threats related to domestic violence.
“We never planned to do this,” said Shane McCourt, Bailey's father. “We don't want any other family to go through this.”
James Plover was found guilty of the charges in July.
At Monday's sentencing hearing, the prosecution asked for 16 to 18 months in prison, while the defense asked for nine months.
A publication ban prevents the name of the victim from the 2024 incident from being revealed.
The court, however, heard how Plover threatened to kill the victim and then began to choke him to the point that the victim almost lost consciousness before they could get away and call for help.
Plover left court after sentencing in July to await sentencing on the charges.
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That same day, McCourt, a mother of two, was killed after being beaten in a public parking lot.
Her friend Carrie Wiebe was hospitalized with serious injuries.
“Someone that you grew up with and expect to be with you for the rest of your life, not having them anymore is very, very difficult,” said Paige McCourt, Bailey's younger sister.
Plover, McCourt's ex-husband, was originally charged with second-degree murder, but it has now been upgraded to first-degree.
A charge of operating a vehicle causing bodily injury was also added.
A conviction for first-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years.
“Nothing is going to change the fact that Bailey is not her and these girls don't have a mom, but there is some comfort,” Shane McCourt said when asked about the murder upgrade. “We hope the Crown can achieve this.”
Plover is expected to appear in court Nov. 25 on murder charges.
Monday's sentencing hearing for the 2024 incident has been rescheduled for Nov. 27.
When asked if he had anything to say, Plover told the judge: “I torture myself every day more than any time you give me … so I accept whatever time you give me.”
McCourt's family plans to attend every court hearing.
“Bailey wishes we were here,” Shane McCourt said. “To keep fighting, keep pushing for her voice to be heard.”
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