Dentist’s Trial for Wife’s Poisoning Death Postponed

USA: The trial of James Craig, an Aurora dentist accused of fatally poisoning his wife, Angela Craig, has been rescheduled from August to December 2, 2024. This decision was made during a court appearance on Friday, marking a significant delay in a case that has captured public attention since March 2023.

Lethal Cocktail of Poisons

According to the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office, Angela Craig’s death on March 1, 2023, was caused by “ingesting lethal doses of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline.” Tetrahydrozoline is a common ingredient in Visine eye drops. The autopsy report also noted arsenic poisoning as a “significant condition” contributing to her death.

Prior to her death, Angela Craig had made three hospital visits within a span of nine days, complaining of dizziness and faintness. These visits occurred on March 6, 9, and 15, raising questions about her rapidly declining health.

Dentist Accused of Poisoning and Killing Wife Faces New Charges

Alleged Premeditation and Evidence

Investigators claim that James Craig used his office computer to research “undetectable poisons” and made suspicious purchases. An arrest affidavit states:

“James Craig used an office computer to research and buy ‘undetectable poisons,’ and he bought crystalline metalloid arsenic from Amazon a few weeks before his wife’s death.”

Further suspicion was raised when, five days before Angela’s death, a package addressed to James Craig arrived at his dental office. An office attendant who opened it discovered “a biohazard sticker and a circular canister that said ‘potassium cyanide’ on it.”

Additional Charges and Ongoing Investigation

In addition to the first-degree murder charge, prosecutors have added a felony count of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence. A preliminary hearing for this charge, originally scheduled for next Tuesday, has been postponed to August 15.

Previous Delays and Next Steps

This is not the first delay in the trial proceedings. A previous postponement occurred due to the illness of a key witness. As the legal process continues, the case remains under close scrutiny, with the next significant date being the preliminary hearing in August, followed by the trial in December.

The postponement of this high-profile case underscores the complexities involved in prosecuting alleged crimes involving medical professionals and sophisticated methods of poisoning. As the community awaits the trial, questions about motive and the details of the alleged crime continue to circulate.