James Craig, a Colorado dentist accused of fatally poisoning his wife’s protein shakes, has been charged with attempting to orchestrate the murder of a detective investigating the case. Prosecutors announced last week that Craig faces charges of solicitation to commit murder and solicitation to commit perjury.
Targeting an Aurora Police Detective
While court documents did not initially identify the alleged target, Aurora police spokesperson Joe Moylan confirmed that Craig had aimed to have an Aurora police detective killed. The new charges come as Craig’s legal troubles deepen, further delaying his trial for the murder of his wife, Angela Craig.
Craig, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, is set to appear in court with a new attorney on Dec. 16. His previous lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, withdrew from the case in late November, citing a professional conflict.
Wife’s Death and Allegations of Poisoning
Angela Craig, 43, died in March 2023 after ingesting cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a chemical commonly found in eye drops. According to the coroner, her poisoning was deliberate. The couple had been married for 23 years and shared six children.
Prosecutors allege that James Craig laced Angela’s protein shakes with poison, a claim that forms the core of the first-degree murder charge against him.
Previous Accusations of Manipulation and Forgery
This isn’t the first time Craig has faced accusations of elaborate schemes. Prosecutors previously accused him of trying to frame his wife for her own death.
In one instance, Craig allegedly smuggled a letter out of jail, asking an inmate who was later released to persuade his adult daughter to create a fake video of Angela requesting poisons. Prosecutors also claim Craig approached another inmate to forge journal entries suggesting Angela’s death was a suicide.
Further allegations state that Craig sought to recruit another inmate to plant evidence and find women who would testify falsely that they had affairs with him, intending to paint a picture of Angela framing him out of jealousy.
Trial Delayed Amid Mounting Legal Troubles
Craig’s trial for first-degree murder was set to begin recently but has been postponed indefinitely due to the new charges and his changing legal representation.
These latest allegations add a disturbing new layer to an already complex and high-profile case. As the December court date approaches, Craig’s actions and the evidence presented will continue to draw scrutiny, with implications for his upcoming trial on the original murder charge.
