Accused Killer Dentist James Craig Trial Begins Immediately: What To Know

[ad_1] The homicide trial of a Colorado dentist accused of killing his spouse by poisoning her protein shakes begins on Tuesday.

Prosecutors have charged James Craig, 47, with first-degree homicide and extra counts, alleging that he used a mixture of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline—an ingredient present in some over-the-counter eye drops—to kill his spouse of 23 years, Angela Craig, in 2023.

James Craig, who had six kids along with his spouse, has pleaded not responsible to all costs. He stays in custody because the proceedings unfold.

Newsweek contacted James Craig's protection crew for remark exterior regular working hours.

James Craig in an undated reserving picture offered by the Aurora Police Division. James Craig in an undated reserving picture offered by the Aurora Police Division. Aurora Police Division by way of AP The Context The case has drawn nationwide consideration due to the character of the alleged crime, which entails a medical skilled accused of utilizing his experience and entry to deadly substances to kill a member of the family.

The trial has additionally attracted widespread protection following allegations that James Craig tried to impede justice by concentrating on investigators and manipulating witness testimony.

What To Know Trial Opens With Competing Narratives Prosecutors alleged that James Craig sourced arsenic close to the onset of his spouse's unexplained signs, together with dizziness and complications, which puzzled her medical doctors. When preliminary makes an attempt failed, he allegedly escalated to buying potassium cyanide. Each substances are extremely poisonous and never usually related to unintended overdoses or widespread medical remedy.

Prosecutors mentioned he additionally searched Google for "the right way to make a homicide seem like a coronary heart assault" and "is arsenic detectable in an post-mortem." These searches, prosecutors mentioned, confirmed an intent to disguise the true reason for his spouse's demise.

House Surveillance and Hospitalizations Angela Craig had a number of hospitalizations earlier than her demise at age 43. On residence surveillance video, cited by the prosecution, she informed her husband, "It is your fault they handled me like I used to be a suicide danger, like I did it to myself, and like nothing I mentioned might be believed."

The video, recorded after Angela Craig's first hospitalization, has grow to be a central a part of the prosecution's case that James Craig manipulated how medical doctors perceived her situation.

Prosecutors Allege Efforts to Derail the Investigation Following his arrest, James Craig allegedly supplied a fellow inmate $20,000 to kill the lead investigator on the case and proposed paying that inmate's ex-wife $20,000 to recruit false witnesses to testify that Angela Craig had meant to die by suicide. Prosecutors additionally mentioned he requested one other inmate to plant fraudulent letters within the Craig residence to make it seem like his spouse had been suicidal. Prosecutors have introduced these costs as a part of a broader sample of efforts to undermine the case.

Individuals coming into the Arapahoe County Justice Heart in Centennial, Colorado, on July 14. Individuals coming into the Arapahoe County Justice Heart in Centennial, Colorado, on July 14. Thomas Peipert/AP Photograph Defendant's Response and Protection Crew Arguments James Craig's attorneys have questioned the reliability of claims made by a jailhouse informant, saying each the inmate and his ex-wife have been beforehand prosecuted for forgery in a 2005 fraud scheme. The protection additionally argued that the police have been biased in opposition to their shopper and emphasised that laboratory exams on the protein shake containers didn't present traces of poison.

Additionally they argued that investigators didn't confirm whether or not James Craig truly wrote the alleged solicitation letters to the jailhouse informant by not checking them in opposition to his handwriting.

Potential Motive and Circumstantial Elements Prosecutors have mentioned that across the time of Angela Craig's demise, her husband was experiencing monetary misery and was allegedly concerned in an extramarital relationship with one other dentist. Investigators have but to current a definitive motive for Angela Craig's demise in courtroom filings or public feedback.

Protection Crew Turmoil James Craig's protection crew has undergone a number of upheavals main as much as the trial. As jury choice neared, distinguished lawyer Harvey Steinberg withdrew from the case, citing a rule that allows legal professionals to step down when a shopper insists on actions they consider are prison or unethical.

Robert Werking, who succeeded Steinberg, withdrew earlier this month after being charged with arson of his own residence. His lawyer, David Beller, mentioned Werking was receiving psychological well being remedy and requested the general public to point out compassion. Werking's spouse and regulation companion, Lisa Wonderful Moses, stays on the protection crew alongside Ashley Whitham, who joined the case in June.

Present Standing James Craig faces separate counts for first-degree homicide, solicitation to commit homicide and solicitation to commit perjury. He has pleaded not responsible to every cost.

What Occurs Subsequent The trial is anticipated to proceed in Denver over the approaching days, with testimony anticipated from medical consultants, regulation enforcement officers and witnesses aware of the Craigs' relationship and monetary circumstances.