ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — Jury deliberations commenced Tuesday afternoon following closing statements in the high-profile murder trial of an Aurora dentist accused of killing his wife. James Craig faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and solicitation to commit various forms of tampering and perjury, stemming from the alleged poisoning of his spouse, Angela Craig.
The prosecution asserts that James Craig, 43, murdered his wife by poisoning her smoothies with lethal substances, specifically cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a common ingredient in over-the-counter eye drops. Angela Craig, who was 43 at the time of her death, suffered various ailments that perplexed doctors before she succumbed in March 2023. Prosecutors claim that her final moments included a lethal dose administered while she was hospitalized.
James Craig was arrested on March 19, 2023, and was later released on a $10 million bond. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in October of the same year. The trial kicked off on July 15, 2025, after an extensive investigation that involved nearly 50 witnesses over ten days of testimony.
In his closing argument, prosecutor Michael Mauro focused on Angela Craig’s innocence, challenging the defense’s portrayal of her death as a suicide pact. Mauro contended that James Craig constructed three false narratives to avoid accountability for her death: that it was an intentional act of suicide, a “game of chicken,” or a plan devised by Angela to frame him. He argued that none of these scenarios could be true and that the evidence points directly to James Craig’s guilt.
Mauro detailed the timeline of events, alleging that James Craig’s actions leading up to Angela’s death reveal a deliberate plan. He highlighted that James had researched poisons and took steps to procure them, reinforcing the notion that he was a “man on a mission.” Mauro also referenced text messages and witness accounts that portrayed James as having a motive tied to financial gain and a desire to escape the marriage without facing the repercussions of a divorce.
The defense, led by attorney Lisa Moses, maintained that the marriage was complex and that Craig was not the ruthless figure the prosecution painted. She acknowledged infidelity on James Craig’s part but argued that it did not serve as a motive for murder. Moses asserted that the prosecution’s handling of evidence was flawed and urged the jury to consider reasonable doubt in their deliberations.
Moses introduced Angela Craig’s journal entries as evidence of her emotional struggles but implied that these did not provide clear motives for a suicide. She emphasized numerous gaps in the prosecution’s narrative, suggesting that law enforcement had focused too narrowly on James Craig as the sole suspect, neglecting alternative explanations for the tragedy.
In rebuttal, prosecutors underscored the lack of supporting evidence for the defense’s claims. They argued that Angela Craig had actively sought medical help and had no intention of taking her own life. The prosecution reiterated that her struggle over the last ten days of her life indicated a fight for survival, not a surrender to despair.
As deliberations commenced, the jury was instructed that they could convict on lesser charges, should they find that first-degree murder had not been established. The trial has drawn significant attention, reflecting the complexities of marital dynamics and the serious legal implications of the charges.
Jury deliberations began shortly after 1 p.m., marking a pivotal moment in a case that has captured public interest due to its dramatic allegations and the tragic loss of life involved.
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