The case against Colorado dentist James Craig is set to unfold in court as jury selection begins Thursday, more than two years after the death of his wife, Angela Craig. She was declared brain dead on March 18, 2023, following a series of hospital visits where doctors were unable to determine the cause of her severe headaches and dizziness. Angela Craig’s death has raised significant suspicions, leading to charges that her husband poisoned her.
Court records indicate that Angela experienced alarming symptoms, including seizures, during her third hospital visit. Just hours before her hospitalization, she communicated with James, expressing feelings of being “drugged.” The investigation into her death revealed a troubling pattern of behavior by her husband, who now faces six felony charges, including first-degree murder. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Ryan Redfearn, a colleague of James Craig, was pivotal in alerting authorities to the possibility of poisoning. He informed law enforcement that a package containing potassium cyanide had been delivered to their dental office shortly before Angela’s hospitalization. Redfearn’s concerns arose after he received a call from an office manager who had seen the suspicious delivery. Upon arriving at the hospital, he advised medical staff of the situation, prompting further investigation.
The probable cause affidavit details a series of text messages exchanged between James and Angela during her hospitalizations. In one exchange, Angela expressed her suspicion of being drugged, to which James replied, “Just for the record, I didn’t drug you.” This statement has raised eyebrows, especially considering that a sister of Angela claimed James had previously drugged her wife to prevent her from stopping a suicide attempt.
The autopsy revealed that Angela Craig died from acute cyanide poisoning, with subacute arsenic poisoning also noted. Investigators later uncovered a secret email account linked to James, which contained searches for various poisons and orders for toxic substances, including arsenic and potassium cyanide. Notably, the potassium cyanide was ordered just days before Angela’s final hospital visit.
Additionally, this email account revealed inappropriate communications between James and a woman named Karin Cain, who visited him while Angela was hospitalized. Cain, who met James at a dental convention, has denied being involved in any motive to harm Angela.
As the case progresses, James Craig’s legal representation has undergone significant changes, complicating the proceedings. Initially, he hired a team of three attorneys, but after replacing them with prominent attorney Harvey Steinberg, Steinberg withdrew from the case, citing ethical concerns over James’s alleged attempts to engage in criminal behavior.
Further complicating matters, one of the attorneys appointed to represent James, Robert Werking, found himself in legal trouble, leading to his withdrawal from the case. Prosecutors allege that while in custody, James attempted to orchestrate a murder-for-hire plot against the lead investigator, Detective Bobbi Olson. He allegedly conspired with a fellow inmate to eliminate Olson and sought to discredit her investigation.
As the trial approaches, the evidence against James Craig appears substantial, combining witness testimonies, text messages, and digital footprints that outline a troubling narrative. With jury selection imminent, the courtroom will soon be tasked with determining the guilt or innocence of a man accused of a heinous crime against his wife. Angela Craig’s tragic death and the circumstances surrounding it will be under scrutiny, as both sides prepare for a trial that could have profound implications for all involved.
