A Colorado dentist, James Craig, is facing serious legal troubles as he stands accused of murdering his wife, Angela Craig, by poisoning her protein shakes. Recent developments have revealed additional charges of solicitation to commit murder and solicitation to commit perjury, relating to his attempts to have the police detective investigating the case killed.
The Aurora police confirmed last week, following the filing of these charges, which occurred just as Craig's trial for first-degree murder was set to begin, \"The intended victim was one of our detectives.\" This statement added another layer of intrigue to what is already a convoluted case.
Originally arrested for allegedly murdering his wife back in March 2023 using cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, which is commonly found in over-the-counter eye drops, Craig's case didn’t take long to spiral from tragic to bizarre. His 43-year-old wife’s death was ruled as poisoning, triggering the investigation.
Prosecutors wasted no time filing two new charges against Craig last week. The solicitation charge pertains to his purported attempt to enlist the help of another inmate to carry out the murder of the detective. Meanwhile, the solicitation for perjury relates to efforts to frame his deceased wife as the perpetrator of her own demise, rather than the victim of his alleged crime.
A judge allowed Craig’s latest attorney, Harvey Steinberg, to withdraw from representing him on November 21, citing professional conflicts connected to Craig's proposed legal strategies. This withdrawal came just before his murder trial was due to proceed.
According to court documents, prior to his wife's death, James Craig attempted to manipulate other inmates to engage in various schemes—one of which involved trying to plant false evidence to suggest Angela Craig had committed suicide. Allegations include him asking another inmate to forge diary entries indicating his wife had expressed intentions of taking her own life.
Craig's troubled history with his wife surfaced throughout the investigation, with reports indicating the couple had a tumultuous relationship. They had been married for 23 years and had six children together, but underlying tensions eventually gave way to tragedy. These details not only paint a picture of domestic drama but also raise questions about the dynamics prior to Angela Craig's death.
Additional allegations emerged through the investigation, asserting Craig had procured cyanide, claiming at times it was for his work, and even went as far as arguing his wife, Angela, was suicidal and requested the substance. Investigators haven’t been swayed by these claims, finding them more of desperation than credibility.
Yet the narrative surrounding Craig did not stop with just the alleged murder. Prosecutors have suggested he had an extramarital affair with another woman, even flying her to Colorado to spend time together during the period when Angela was hospitalized and critically ill. Such behavior adds complexity to Craig's motives and paints him as someone who was emotionally detached amid the crisis.
The impending trial, which has been postponed indefinitely, will determine not just Craig's fate but also place the spotlight on the circumstances surrounding Angela's death and the ensuing convoluted conspiracies allegedly devised by her husband. It is expected to attract heightened media attention as the story continues to develop.
While the wires of deceit may have tangled Craig’s future, questions also swirl about what precisely led to the tragic poisoning of Angela Craig—and whether the actions of her husband reflect something far darker than marital strife. With multiple facets coming to light each day and new charges surfacing, legal analysts and crime observers are left to contemplate the motivations behind this alleged crime, which merges domestic discord, betrayal, and perhaps, sheer horror.
Craig has continued to maintain his innocence, entering not guilty pleas on the initial charges of first-degree murder and solicitation to tamper with physical evidence. He is scheduled to appear again on December 16 with unspecified new legal representation.
The sordid saga of the Craigs serves as both cautionary tale and unsettling reminder of the sometimes hidden darkness lurking behind closed doors. Beyond the courtrooms, this case is likely to keep the attention of anyone intrigued by true crime, marital discord, and the lengths one may go to escape justice or shift the blame.
