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By Daniel Orton
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The murder trial of a Colorado dentist accused of killing his wife by poisoning her protein shakes begins on Tuesday.
Prosecutors have charged James Craig, 47, with first-degree murder and additional counts, alleging that he used a combination of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline—an ingredient found in some over-the-counter eye drops—to kill his wife of 23 years, Angela Craig, in 2023.
James Craig, who had six children with his wife, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He remains in custody as the proceedings unfold.
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Newsweek contacted James Craig's defense team for comment outside normal working hours.
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The Context
The case has drawn nationwide attention because of the nature of the alleged crime, which involves a medical professional accused of using his expertise and access to lethal substances to kill a family member.
The trial has also attracted widespread coverage following allegations that James Craig attempted to obstruct justice by targeting investigators and manipulating witness testimony.
What To Know
Trial Opens With Competing Narratives
Prosecutors alleged that James Craig sourced arsenic near the onset of his wife's unexplained symptoms, including dizziness and headaches, which puzzled her doctors. When initial attempts failed, he allegedly escalated to acquiring potassium cyanide. Both substances are highly toxic and not typically associated with accidental overdoses or common medical treatment.
Prosecutors said he also searched Google for "how to make a murder look like a heart attack" and "is arsenic detectable in an autopsy." These searches, prosecutors said, showed an intent to disguise the true cause of his wife's death.
Home Surveillance and Hospitalizations
Angela Craig had multiple hospitalizations before her death at age 43. On home surveillance video, cited by the prosecution, she told her husband, "It's your fault they treated me like I was a suicide risk, like I did it to myself, and like nothing I said could be believed."
The video, recorded after Angela Craig's first hospitalization, has become a central part of the prosecution's case that James Craig manipulated how doctors perceived her condition.
Prosecutors Allege Efforts to Derail the Investigation
Following his arrest, James Craig allegedly offered a fellow inmate $20,000 to kill the lead investigator on the case and proposed paying that inmate's ex-wife $20,000 to recruit false witnesses to testify that Angela Craig had intended to die by suicide. Prosecutors also said he asked another inmate to plant fraudulent letters in the Craig home to make it look like his wife had been suicidal. Prosecutors have presented these charges as part of a broader pattern of efforts to undermine the case.
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Defendant's Response and Defense Team Arguments
James Craig's attorneys have questioned the reliability of claims made by a jailhouse informant, saying both the inmate and his ex-wife were previously prosecuted for forgery in a 2005 fraud scheme. The defense also argued that the police were biased against their client and emphasized that laboratory tests on the protein shake containers did not show traces of poison.
They also argued that investigators failed to verify whether James Craig actually wrote the alleged solicitation letters to the jailhouse informant by not checking them against his handwriting.
Potential Motive and Circumstantial Factors
Prosecutors have said that around the time of Angela Craig's death, her husband was experiencing financial distress and was allegedly involved in an extramarital relationship with another dentist. Investigators have yet to present a definitive motive for Angela Craig's death in court filings or public comments.
Defense Team Turmoil
James Craig's defense team has undergone multiple upheavals leading up to the trial. As jury selection neared, prominent attorney Harvey Steinberg withdrew from the case, citing a rule that permits lawyers to step down when a client insists on actions they believe are criminal or unethical.
Robert Werking, who succeeded Steinberg, withdrew earlier this month after being charged with arson of his own home. His attorney, David Beller, said Werking was receiving mental health treatment and asked the public to show compassion. Werking's wife and law partner, Lisa Fine Moses, remains on the defense team alongside Ashley Whitham, who joined the case in June.
Current Status
James Craig faces separate counts for first-degree murder, solicitation to commit murder and solicitation to commit perjury. He has pleaded not guilty to each charge.
What Happens Next
The trial is expected to continue in Denver over the coming days, with testimony anticipated from medical experts, law enforcement officials and witnesses familiar with the Craigs' relationship and financial circumstances.
A verdict may hinge on forensic evidence and the credibility of secondary witnesses, including jailhouse informants.
This article contains reporting by the Associated Press.
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