Dentist Accused of Murdering Wife With Poisoned Smoothies Goes to Trial

James Craig is charged with first-degree murder in the 2023 death of his wife Angela, allegedly poisoned with cyanide and eye drop chemicals

The murder trial of Colorado dentist James Craig began Tuesday, July 15, with prosecutors alleging he fatally poisoned his wife, Angela Craig, by lacing her smoothies with cyanide and chemicals found in eye drops.

Craig, 47, faces a charge of first-degree murder in the death of his 43-year-old wife, who died on March 18, 2023. Angela, a mother of six, was hospitalized multiple times in the weeks leading up to her death, suffering from unexplained symptoms that investigators later linked to cyanide and tetrahydrozoline — the latter an ingredient found in over-the-counter eye drops.

Prosecutors: “He Went Into That Room to Kill Her”

According to opening statements, Craig allegedly poisoned Angela while visiting her in the hospital during her final stay.

“He didn’t go into that room to save Angela’s life,” prosecutor Ryan Brackley told jurors, per CNN. “He went into that room to murder her.”

Angela was hospitalized three times in March 2023. Her symptoms began on March 6, worsened on March 9, and after being removed from life support following a seizure, she died on March 18.

Investigators say Craig began plotting weeks earlier, purchasing arsenic online on February 27 and conducting online searches including, “How many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human?” and “Is arsenic detectable in autopsy?”

A Troubled Marriage and Secret Life

According to a probable cause affidavit, Angela confided in her sister, Toni Kofoed, that her husband was struggling with multiple issues — including addiction to pornography, infidelity, and financial collapse. She also alleged that Craig had tried to drug her in the past.

Angela reportedly told Kofoed that Craig admitted he once tried to poison her because he was planning to die by suicide and didn’t want her to interfere.

The affidavit also details Craig’s mounting financial troubles: He had recently lost over $2,000 gambling in Las Vegas and had run his dental practice into the ground, according to his business partner, Ryan Redfearn, who also told police Craig had previously filed for bankruptcy and was on the brink of doing so again.

Affair with Texas Orthodontist

At the time Angela was in the hospital, Craig was allegedly having an affair with Karin Cain, a Texas orthodontist he met at a dental conference in February. Cain told ABC News she was unaware Craig was married and that the relationship lasted about three weeks.

The Defense: “He Loved His Wife”

Craig’s attorney, Ashley Whitham, argued during opening statements that the prosecution was mischaracterizing Craig’s actions and marriage. She acknowledged that Craig had affairs but claimed Angela knew and still chose to remain with him.

“She knew Craig was cheating,” Whitham told the jury, per the Associated Press. “He was candid with Angela that he had been cheating.”

The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks as prosecutors lay out the case against Craig, who has pleaded not guilty.