Latest news with #JamesEdwardPlover
CBC
5 days ago
- CBC
Family, support groups seek better protection for domestic violence victims after B.C. woman killed
Social Sharing The family of a woman killed in Kelowna, B.C., on Friday is calling for more to be done to address domestic violence in the province. Bailey Plover was killed in what Kelowna RCMP called a "highly visible and tragic event" on Friday at a parking lot on Enterprise Way, in an attack that also saw another woman hospitalized. Kelowna RCMP say James Edward Plover was arrested after a brief pursuit by officers who responded to reports of a "motor vehicle incident" and an alleged assault with a weapon involving two female victims known to the suspect. Bailey Plover succumbed to her injuries after the attack, and her uncle, Morey Maslak, said there was a pattern of domestic violence between Bailey and James. "This is not an uncommon story, [it's] played out countless times, you know?" he told CBC News. "There's, you know, clearly some shortcomings in the judicial system that we need to try to address as a community." Online court records show Plover was charged with uttering threats and assault by choking last year, but the charges were stayed, in a case that was identified as concerning intimate partner violence. He and the victim were involved in family law litigation, and also faced foreclosure proceedings launched by two separate banks. Maslak said he had known Bailey since she was a young girl, and described her as a loving and devoted mother and a funny and charismatic young lady. She has two children. "The kids are surrounded by loved ones, and our focus right now is to, you know, provide some stability and have them around family," he said. Mounties said on Saturday that the second victim in the attack is still in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Kelowna RCMP say a charge of second-degree murder in relation to the attack was approved by the B.C. Prosecution Service on Saturday. James Plover is due in court on July 10. Advocate calls for concrete action The killing of Plover comes a little under two weeks after an independent report commissioned by the province found gender-based violence has been "normalized" in B.C. Lawyer Kim Stanton's report found that around 48 per cent of women in B.C. over the age of 15 had experienced intimate partner violence. According to the report, 94 per cent of sexual assaults and 80 per cent of intimate partner violence are not reported to police. "This isn't a series of isolated tragedies. Definitely not," said Angela Marie MacDougall, the executive director of Battered Women's Support Services, on Monday. "Rather, this is a systemic failure and it is a public safety crisis." WATCH | Gender-based violence declared an epidemic: B.C.'s declaration of gender-based violence as an epidemic welcomed 6 months ago Duration 2:27 B.C. Premier David Eby's mandate letter to the province's finance minister tasks her with working to address a "national epidemic" of gender-based violence. Janella Hamilton spoke to support workers who have pushed for the move, who say violence against women is a public safety crisis. MacDougall noted that B.C. Premier David Eby had declared gender-based violence an epidemic in January, but said the province had not acted decisively in response to that declaration. She added that the legal system was effectively "decriminalizing this kind of violence" by not charging perpetrators with crimes. "This case, the Kelowna case, is really concerning for a bunch of reasons — not only because of how highly visible it was and that there's a woman dead, but the accused allegedly has been charged with serious violence, including choking," MacDougall said. "Those charges were stayed. And we know, from a risk assessment point of view, that that kind of violence is a precursor to femicide. This is well established." At an unrelated news conference on Monday, Eby said that his government had received the Stanton report and would work with the author on the report's various recommendations. "We've been pressing the federal government aggressively to improve our bail system, to make sure that violent offenders are kept behind bars ... to ensure that intimate partner violence, violence against women in relationships specifically, was named as an area for bail reform," he said. "[This is a] tragic, timely reminder of the importance of that work, and we hope the federal government works very quickly to get that in place."
The Province
06-07-2025
- The Province
'Tragic event': Second-degree murder charge laid after incident leaves one woman dead in Kelowna
James Edward Plover remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court July 10. The suspect was known to the deceased victim Photo by Postmedia News One woman is dead after what Kelowna RCMP say was initially reported as a motor vehicle incident, and one man has been charged with second-degree murder. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors On Friday, RCMP said an assault with a weapon took place in the 1900-block of Enterprise Way at 12:54 p.m. A male suspect was arrested after a police pursuit and two females were taken to hospital. One woman, Bailey Plover, died and the second woman remains in hospital with serious injuries. On Saturday the Service approved a second-degree murder charge against James Edward Plover, who remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court July 10. The suspect was known to the deceased victim. 'This was a highly visible and tragic event, and we recognize the profound impact it has had on many individuals and the community,' said Insp. Chris Goebel, acting officer in charge of the Kelowna RCMP. 'Victim services are available and anyone seeking assistance can reach out to them at 250-470-6242. 'We want everyone touched by this tragedy to know that help is available,' said Goebel. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'While our investigation is ongoing, we are incredibly grateful to the witnesses who have already come forward and the first responders who acted swiftly and professionally in managing this high-risk situation. Their co-operation has been instrumental in helping us move this complex investigation forward.' Anyone with information on the movements of the accused in the days leading up to the incident to reach out to the Kelowna RCMP serious crime unit at 250-470-6236 and reference file number 2025-38322. Online court records show James was charged with uttering threats and assault by choking last year, but the charges were stayed. He and Bailey were involved in family law litigation and faced foreclosure proceedings launched by two separate banks. With files from The Canadian Press Read More Real Estate Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Canucks World
CBC
06-07-2025
- CBC
Man charged with second-degree murder after 'highly visible and tragic event': RCMP
Police in Kelowna, B.C., say a man arrested after a "highly visible and tragic event" in the city Friday has now been charged with second-degree murder. Kelowna RCMP say James Edward Plover has been in custody since he was arrested after a brief pursuit by officers who responded to reports of a "motor vehicle incident" and an alleged assault with a weapon involving two female victims. Mounties say one of the victims succumbed to her injuries and the second victim is still in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was known to the deceased victim, according to police. Kelowna RCMP say the murder charge was approved by the BC Prosecution Service today and Plover is due in court on July 10. Insp. Chris Goebel with Kelowna RCMP says the assault has had a "profound impact" on many people in the community, and first responders acted swiftly and professionally during the high-risk situation. Online court records show Plover was charged with uttering threats and assault by choking last year, but the charges were stayed, and he and the victim are involved in active family law litigation and also face foreclosure proceedings launched by two separate banks.
