DENVER (AP) — Angela Craig confronted her husband, James, just days before her tragic death, which left her doctors puzzled over her symptoms. In a tense argument recorded by home surveillance in March 2023, Angela accused James of suggesting to hospital staff that she was suicidal. This confrontation is now pivotal in the ongoing murder trial against James Craig.
Prosecutors allege that James Craig deliberately poisoned his wife, leading to her death, and attempted to frame it as a suicide. The trial is set to begin with jury selection on Monday. Angela Craig, 43, died during her third hospital visit in March 2023. Toxicology tests revealed that she succumbed to poisoning from cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a substance commonly found in over-the-counter eye drops.
The couple, married for 23 years and parents to six children, faced significant turmoil in their relationship. James Craig, 47, has entered a plea of not guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder and solicitation to commit murder. Authorities have accused him of fabricating evidence to create the appearance that Angela was suicidal.
According to prosecutors, James Craig purchased arsenic online around the time Angela began experiencing unexplained symptoms such as dizziness and headaches. Police indicated that he was trying to start a new life amidst financial difficulties and was allegedly cheating on his wife. Prosecutors have noted that he had relationships with at least two other women, but have yet to clarify a motive for Angela's death.
Defense attorneys argue that law enforcement was biased against Craig, citing inconclusive poison tests on the protein shake containers. Furthermore, they questioned the credibility of a jail inmate who alleged that Craig offered him $20,000 to kill the case’s lead investigator. In a related twist, the inmate and his ex-wife were involved in a previous forgery case, raising questions about their reliability as witnesses.
As trial proceedings commenced, Craig's legal representation experienced disruptions. Harvey Steinberg, Craig's former lawyer, withdrew from the case, citing obligations to decline representation in the face of criminal actions by the client. Another attorney, Robert Werking, also withdrew after facing charges related to arson of his own home, leading to Lisa Fine Moses taking over Craig's defense.
Despite defense objections, prosecutors are set to present the surveillance footage of Angela and James's argument to the jury. This evidence showcases Angela expressing frustration at James for not supporting her during her hospital visits and claiming his actions made it seem like she was suicidal. Prosecutors argue this context is crucial to disproving any claims that Angela might have poisoned herself as a means of manipulation or desperation.
In addition to the surveillance video, investigators have pointed to James Craig's online search history as incriminating evidence. Queries such as “how to make murder look like a heart attack” and “is arsenic detectable in an autopsy?” were reportedly found during their investigation. Following failed attempts to poison his wife, James allegedly ordered potassium cyanide, claiming it was for surgical purposes. The suspicious order was discovered by an employee at his dental practice just days before Angela’s final hospitalization.
Concerns about Angela's condition escalated after her business partner voiced suspicions to a nurse, suggesting she might have been poisoned. This revelation prompted police intervention, which began an investigation on the same day Angela returned to the hospital, ultimately leading to her death days later.
