A dentist in Colorado accused of killing his wife by lacing her protein shakes with poison in 2023 faces new charges related to plotting the killings of four people, including a lead investigator in his case, according to multiple news reports.
James Craig. Image courtesy of the Aurora Police Department.
Judge Shay Whitaker ruled in favor of the prosecution, allowing Dr. James Craig to face the new charges of solicitation to commit murder and solicitation to commit perjury for allegedly trying to get a fellow inmate to kill a detective involved in the case and others. Craig, 46, who is charged with first-degree murder for the death of his wife Angela Craig, is scheduled to go to trial in July.
Craig allegedly tried to convince a fellow inmate, Nathaniel Harris, to kill Bobbi Olson, the detective who investigated his wife's homicide, another officer, and two other inmates who had been housed with the dentist. Harris claims that Craig offered him $20,000 to commit the murders, according to the stories.
Also, Harris told authorities that he allegedly provided Craig with the name and address of his ex-wife to try and solicit her help in the murder-for-hire plot. Craig allegedly wanted Harris' ex-wife to claim to be Angela Craig's friend and make up texts, phone records, and photographs to create a fake story that would help the dentist's case.
Also, Craig reportedly sent letters to the woman with personal information about his wife. Authorities believe Craig's ultimate goal was to have a person say his wife was suicidal, according to the stories. Harris' ex-wife wasn't aware of the letters until the police came to question her.
In November 2024, Craig's trial was delayed after his attorney abruptly withdrew from the case right before jurors were to be selected.
The 43-year-old mother of six children died in March 2023 from lethal doses of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a decongestant found in over-the-counter eyedrops, that Craig allegedly mixed into her protein shakes, according to stories.
Police accuse Craig of buying arsenic and cyanide a few days before his wife was poisoned to death. Craig allegedly searched the internet to learn how to poison someone. Craig was facing financial problems and was having an extramarital affair.
Additionally, the dentist is charged with tampering with evidence and allegedly asked his daughter and another person to cover up evidence.
Initially, Craig purportedly dosed Angela Craig with arsenic. This incident sent her to the hospital. Then he was accused of dosing her with cyanide. After Angela Craig recovered from her first hospitalization, he ordered more poison and dosed her again.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
