James Craig, a dentist from Colorado, was found guilty of murdering his wife, Angela Craig, after a harrowing trial that revealed a chilling series of events spanning ten days in March 2023. The jury convicted him on all counts, including first-degree murder. Equally important, they convicted him, relying on overwhelming evidence of his attempts to disguise the crime, for all the right reasons.
Angela Craig’s death was determined to be due to poisoning from cyanide and tetrahydrozoline. Prosecutors presented evidence that James Craig meticulously planned and carried out the slow death of his wife by poisoning. This horror-filled scenario ended with a last, lethal dose as she lay in a Denver area hospital. This preemptive act was a last step after he had already poisoned her for several days.
And the circumstances around Angela’s death told the story of a perverse betrayal and exploitation. James Craig had status as a police officer and orchestrated the poisoning. To further the illusion, he attempted to draft a narrative by requiring his daughter to film a bogus video of Angela requesting poison. The trickery didn’t stop there. He specifically targeted an inmate to arrange the assassination of the lead detective on his case.
During the two-week-long trial, former Detroit James Craig did not testify, nor did his attorneys call any witnesses to testify on his behalf, either. Considering this policy area, his choice to remain quiet led people to wonder among observers. It didn’t prevent the prosecution from building a compelling case against his innocence.
Emotional testimonies from Angela’s family members underscored the rich and full life Angela lived and the lasting impact her death has had on their lives. “You have taken away our opportunity to grow old together,” said Toni Kofoed, Angela’s sister, reflecting the deep sense of loss felt by the family. Kofoed further told police, “Her life was not yours to take,” making clear the family’s deep heartache and devastation caused by this avoidable tragedy.
The crime James Craig was charged with committing murder. Additionally, he was convicted for attempting to cover up his crime by soliciting others to create false evidence and statements. Text messages Craig sent to his colleague dentist Michael Mauro provided the prosecutors the evidence needed to convict him. These messages came to light after he administered the lethal dose. These communications hinted at his intent and awareness of the gravity of his actions.
With conviction on all counts, as the verdict was read James Craig began to understand that he was likely destined for life behind bars. The judge must still determine his sentence date. Even though the state has not sought to impose a death sentence, the murder conviction alone already has life-changing potential — enough to destroy the course of his life.
Alternatively, this case has received a great deal of media attention for the horrific nature of the facts. It’s an incredibly incisive and unsentimental exploration of trust and betrayal in marriage. As a healthcare provider, the nature of James Craig’s alleged acts are even more disturbing. Presentations have made everyone sobered by this sharp difference.