A Colorado dentist charged with the 2023 murder of his wife, Angela Craig, now faces additional charges, including solicitation to commit murder and perjury, prosecutors announced Friday. James Craig, who pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder last year, is accused of poisoning his wife’s protein shakes with cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a chemical found in over-the-counter eyedrops.
The New Charges
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Colorado filed the new charges against Craig, but further details have not yet been disclosed. These developments come as jury selection was set to begin in Craig’s trial.
Adding to the case’s complexity, Craig’s attorney withdrew from representing him just before jury selection, citing a “professional conflict” and concerns that the client “persists in a course of action involving the lawyer’s services that the lawyer reasonably believes is criminal or fraudulent.”
It is unclear whether Craig has secured new legal representation.
A Chilling Timeline of Events
Angela Craig, a 43-year-old mother of six, was married to James Craig for 23 years before her untimely death on March 18, 2023.
Authorities allege that Angela consumed a protein shake laced with poison prepared by her husband. She was hospitalized three days before her death, suffering from severe headaches, dizziness, and later a seizure. Despite being placed on life support, she succumbed to the effects of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline poisoning.
A Troubled Marriage
Court documents and witness testimonies paint a picture of a marriage strained by infidelity and emotional turmoil:
- Multiple Affairs: James Craig had reportedly engaged in several extramarital affairs during their marriage.
- Online Searches: Prosecutors revealed that Craig’s online activity included alarming searches such as:
- “How to make murder look like a heart attack.”
- “Is arsenic detectable in an autopsy?”
- Angela’s Concerns: Angela Craig reportedly expressed a desire to leave her husband on multiple occasions, citing ongoing marital difficulties.
Defense and Counterarguments
At a preliminary hearing last year, Craig’s defense team argued that there is no direct evidence linking him to the poisoning. They suggested his internet searches were related to suicidal ideation, not murder.
However, prosecutors argue that the combination of his online search history, marital issues, and his relationship with another woman at the time of Angela’s death establishes a motive.
A Family and Community in Shock
Angela Craig’s death and the subsequent charges against her husband have devastated their family and community. The couple shared six children, who now face a future shaped by tragedy and legal proceedings.
What’s Next?
The new charges—solicitation to commit murder and perjury—complicate an already high-profile case. Legal experts anticipate that the trial will now be delayed as Craig secures new representation and the defense prepares to address the expanded accusations.
As the trial progresses, the court will delve deeper into the evidence, including Craig’s troubling online activity and the couple’s strained relationship, to determine whether the prosecution can prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Key Takeaways
- New Charges: James Craig now faces solicitation to commit murder and perjury in addition to the original first-degree murder charge.
- Poisoning Allegations: Angela Craig died from cyanide and tetrahydrozoline poisoning after consuming a protein shake allegedly prepared by her husband.
- Marital Strife: The couple’s troubled marriage and Craig’s alleged infidelities provide a potential motive, according to prosecutors.
- Legal Challenges: The case is further complicated by Craig’s lawyer withdrawing due to professional conflicts.
