The murder trial of James Toliver Craig, a Colorado dentist accused of poisoning his wife, Angela Craig, has been postponed due to his defense attorney abruptly quitting during jury selection. Angela, a mother of six, died in March 2023 from poisoning by cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a substance found in eye drops. The trial was supposed to start with jury selection, but the defense counsel withdrew due to a “professional conflict.”
Craig allegedly had an affair with his orthodontist lover from Austin, whom he flew to Denver while his wife was dying. They exchanged sexually explicit emails, according to an arrest affidavit. The document also described the couple’s troubled marriage, financial issues, and Craig’s alleged plot to murder Angela. Police found evidence that Craig searched online for ways to make murder look like a heart attack and how to make poison.
Investigators claim that Craig purchased undetectable poisons online just before his wife started experiencing unexplained symptoms. However, Craig’s lawyers argue that there is no direct evidence linking him to poisoning his wife’s shakes. Angela’s sister revealed that Craig had drugged her years earlier because he planned to commit suicide. She also mentioned that the couple’s marriage was tumultuous, with Craig having multiple affairs and a long-standing addiction to pornography.
Angela had expressed her intention to leave Craig multiple times over the years, but he always convinced her to stay. Financial documents suggest that the couple was on the brink of bankruptcy, with Craig gambling away thousands of dollars in Las Vegas. In a separate incident, Craig was accused of soliciting a fellow inmate to plant fake suicide notes in his garage and truck. The inmate refused and reported the incident to the authorities.
Craig faces charges of first-degree murder and solicitation to tamper with physical evidence. He pleaded not guilty to these charges in November 2023. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 16. The trial’s delay has added to the complexity of the case, raising questions about the defense strategy and the evidence presented against Craig. The twists and turns in this high-profile trial have captivated the public’s attention, as they await the next chapter in this tragic story of love, betrayal, and alleged murder.