A Colorado dentist has been found guilty of first-degree murder for poisoning his wife, including by lacing her protein shakes with cyanide. James Craig, 45, was convicted on Wednesday after a two-week trial in which prosecutors said he repeatedly tried to kill Angela Craig over a 10-day period in March 2023.
Prosecutors said that when earlier attempts failed, Craig administered a final dose of cyanide through her intravenous line while she was hospitalised near Denver. Angela Craig was declared brain dead shortly afterwards. Toxicology tests later confirmed she died from cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a compound found in eye drops.
In addition to murder, Craig was found guilty of attempting to cover up the killing. Evidence showed he asked his daughter to make a fake video of her mother asking to be poisoned, tried to persuade an inmate to kill the lead detective, and sought to fabricate testimony suggesting Angela had taken her own life or wanted to frame him. Jurors rejected his claim that his wife had asked for help in ending her life.
During the sentencing phase, Angela's sister, Toni Kofoed, told the court: “Her life was not yours to take. Angela had a love and a passion for life. She loved her children and, unfortunately, she loved you.” One of the couple's six children said her father would forever be a villain. Craig did not testify, and his defence team called no witnesses. Sentencing is yet to be announced.
