Topline: A jury has found James Craig guilty of first-degree murder, concluding the dentist poisoned his wife over ten days in March 2023.
Published: August 11, 2025 12:30 pm ET
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Photo posted on Facebook in 2016 shows Angela & James Craig at Stratford-upon-Avon in the United Kingdom.
AURORA, CO — An Aurora dentist has been convicted of first-degree murder for poisoning his wife, Angela Craig. A jury delivered the verdict last week, finding James Craig guilty after a trial that detailed a deliberate and prolonged plot to end her life.
According to The Colorado Sun, prosecutors told the court that Craig began poisoning his wife by lacing her protein shakes and pills. When those attempts failed, he administered a fatal dose of cyanide while she was in the hospital.
The prosecution’s case centered on a clear financial motive. They presented evidence of a struggling dental practice, extramarital affairs, and $4 million in life insurance policies for which James Craig was the sole beneficiary.
The jury rejected the defense’s argument that Angela Craig was suicidal and that her husband had assisted her in ending her life. Prosecutors contended Craig wanted to avoid a divorce to protect his finances and reputation.
In addition to the murder charge, the jury convicted him of trying to cover up the crime by fabricating evidence and attempting to hire a fellow inmate to kill the lead detective on the case.
9News reported that District Judge Shay Whitaker sentenced Craig to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 33 years.
From the bench, Judge Whitaker said, “Dr. Craig unleashed a path of destruction as wide as a tornado and just as devastating. Damage to his children, damage to Angela’s family, damage to his own family. None of the individuals that are here in the courtroom … will ever be the same.”
Citing NPR, testimony during the trial included emotional statements from Angela Craig’s family. Her older sister and one of her six children described their deep sense of betrayal and loss. They painted a picture of a man they called a “villain” who had destroyed their family.
Prosecutors built their case around the deliberate and long-term poisoning. They argued James Craig’s plan was to make his wife’s death look like a natural illness. To prove this, they showed evidence of Craig’s online research into poisons and his purchase of cyanide.
The jury’s decision affirmed the prosecution’s narrative that the dentist’s actions were premeditated and not an act of mercy.
The family of Angela Craig expressed relief and gratitude for the verdict, which they felt brought a measure of justice for her death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Colorado Dentist James Craig Found Guilty in Wife’s Poisoning
A jury has found James Craig guilty of first-degree murder, concluding the dentist poisoned his wife over ten days in March 2023.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 11, 2025 12:30 pm ET
Photo posted on Facebook in 2016 shows Angela & James Craig at Stratford-upon-Avon in the United Kingdom.
AURORA, CO — An Aurora dentist has been convicted of first-degree murder for poisoning his wife, Angela Craig. A jury delivered the verdict last week, finding James Craig guilty after a trial that detailed a deliberate and prolonged plot to end her life.
According to The Colorado Sun, prosecutors told the court that Craig began poisoning his wife by lacing her protein shakes and pills. When those attempts failed, he administered a fatal dose of cyanide while she was in the hospital.
The prosecution’s case centered on a clear financial motive. They presented evidence of a struggling dental practice, extramarital affairs, and $4 million in life insurance policies for which James Craig was the sole beneficiary.
The jury rejected the defense’s argument that Angela Craig was suicidal and that her husband had assisted her in ending her life. Prosecutors contended Craig wanted to avoid a divorce to protect his finances and reputation.
In addition to the murder charge, the jury convicted him of trying to cover up the crime by fabricating evidence and attempting to hire a fellow inmate to kill the lead detective on the case.
9News reported that District Judge Shay Whitaker sentenced Craig to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 33 years.
From the bench, Judge Whitaker said, “Dr. Craig unleashed a path of destruction as wide as a tornado and just as devastating. Damage to his children, damage to Angela’s family, damage to his own family. None of the individuals that are here in the courtroom … will ever be the same.”
Citing NPR, testimony during the trial included emotional statements from Angela Craig’s family. Her older sister and one of her six children described their deep sense of betrayal and loss. They painted a picture of a man they called a “villain” who had destroyed their family.
Prosecutors built their case around the deliberate and long-term poisoning. They argued James Craig’s plan was to make his wife’s death look like a natural illness. To prove this, they showed evidence of Craig’s online research into poisons and his purchase of cyanide.
The jury’s decision affirmed the prosecution’s narrative that the dentist’s actions were premeditated and not an act of mercy.
The family of Angela Craig expressed relief and gratitude for the verdict, which they felt brought a measure of justice for her death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Colorado Dentist James Craig Found Guilty in Wife’s Poisoning
A jury has found James Craig guilty of first-degree murder, concluding the dentist poisoned his wife over ten days in March 2023.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 11, 2025 12:30 pm ET
Photo posted on Facebook in 2016 shows Angela & James Craig at Stratford-upon-Avon in the United Kingdom.
AURORA, CO — An Aurora dentist has been convicted of first-degree murder for poisoning his wife, Angela Craig. A jury delivered the verdict last week, finding James Craig guilty after a trial that detailed a deliberate and prolonged plot to end her life.
According to The Colorado Sun, prosecutors told the court that Craig began poisoning his wife by lacing her protein shakes and pills. When those attempts failed, he administered a fatal dose of cyanide while she was in the hospital.
The prosecution’s case centered on a clear financial motive. They presented evidence of a struggling dental practice, extramarital affairs, and $4 million in life insurance policies for which James Craig was the sole beneficiary.
The jury rejected the defense’s argument that Angela Craig was suicidal and that her husband had assisted her in ending her life. Prosecutors contended Craig wanted to avoid a divorce to protect his finances and reputation.
In addition to the murder charge, the jury convicted him of trying to cover up the crime by fabricating evidence and attempting to hire a fellow inmate to kill the lead detective on the case.
9News reported that District Judge Shay Whitaker sentenced Craig to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 33 years.
From the bench, Judge Whitaker said, “Dr. Craig unleashed a path of destruction as wide as a tornado and just as devastating. Damage to his children, damage to Angela’s family, damage to his own family. None of the individuals that are here in the courtroom … will ever be the same.”
Citing NPR, testimony during the trial included emotional statements from Angela Craig’s family. Her older sister and one of her six children described their deep sense of betrayal and loss. They painted a picture of a man they called a “villain” who had destroyed their family.
Prosecutors built their case around the deliberate and long-term poisoning. They argued James Craig’s plan was to make his wife’s death look like a natural illness. To prove this, they showed evidence of Craig’s online research into poisons and his purchase of cyanide.
The jury’s decision affirmed the prosecution’s narrative that the dentist’s actions were premeditated and not an act of mercy.
The family of Angela Craig expressed relief and gratitude for the verdict, which they felt brought a measure of justice for her death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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