Colorado Dentist Found Guilty of Murder After Poisoning Wife's Protein Shakes
Former Aurora Dentist James Craig Convicted of First-degree Murder
James Craig, a former dentist from Aurora, has been found guilty of first-degree murder for the poisoning death of his wife, Angela Craig, in 2023. The jury's verdict was delivered after a two-week trial, and Craig was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole [1][2][3].
The evidence presented during the trial pointed towards Craig's motive to end his marriage, which he felt trapped in, but sought to avoid divorce to protect his financial interests and public image. Prosecutors argued that Craig had a history of extramarital affairs and aimed to escape the marriage through murder rather than divorce [2][3].
The poisoning method involved Craig gradually poisoning Angela over approximately 10 days in March 2023 by lacing her protein shakes and medications, including those for sinus infections. The final, lethal dose of cyanide was allegedly administered by Craig intravenously in the hospital, as captured on security camera footage showing him holding a syringe before entering her room [2][3].
Craig's actions following the poisoning included texting a fellow dentist with whom he was having an affair soon after administering the fatal dose. Additional charges for solicitation of tampering with evidence, solicitation of perjury, and solicitation of first-degree murder arose from Craig's attempts to cover up the crime. He asked others to fabricate evidence suggesting Angela was suicidal or trying to frame him and even tried to hire an inmate to kill the lead detective [1][2].
James Craig did not testify during the trial, and his defense suggested that Angela may have taken her own life and criticized the police for focusing on him. The jury unanimously rejected this, finding Craig guilty on all counts.
In summary:
- Motive: Escape marriage without divorce; protect money and image
- Poisoning Method: Gradual poisoning via protein shakes and medication; final lethal cyanide dose in hospital
- Evidence: Toxicology reports, hospital security footage, texts after poisoning, witness testimony
- Additional Crimes: Solicitation to tamper with evidence, perjury, and solicitation to commit murder
- Sentencing: Life in prison without parole
This information is based on multiple news reports covering the trial verdict and sentencing as of late July 2025 [1][2][3]. Craig faces additional charges for asking his daughter to make a fake video of his wife asking to be poisoned. Senior Chief Deputy Michael Mauro presented this information in closing arguments to the jurors.
- The conviction of James Craig, the former dentist from Aurora, not only confirmed a case of first-degree murder but also revealed a complex interplay of medical-conditions, health-and-wellness (protein shakes and medications), and crime-and-justice (solicitation of tampering with evidence, perjury, and solicitation to commit murder) in the course of the trial.
- The general news landscape of Aurora was filled with reports of the trial, solely because the case showcased how science (toxicology reports) aided in proving the macabre murder sequence that pulled together the strands of science, medical-conditions, health-and-wellness, crime-and-justice, and general news.
