Murder plot against former dentist accused of poisoning his wife targeted three other people

AURORA, Colo. – A murder plot involving a former Aurora dentist accused of poisoning his wife involved not only an Aurora police detective working on the case, but also two other planned victims, 9NEWS Investigates has learned.

According to multiple sources, another target of the alleged plan is a police officer.

James Craig, 46, was scheduled to stand trial on first-degree murder and other charges in the death of his wife, Angela Craig, on March 18, 2023. But on November 21, the day jury selection was scheduled to begin, Craig’s attorney withdrew for unclear reasons.

Harvey Steinberg, Craig’s former attorney, declined to comment on his decision to withdraw from the case. The hearing from which he withdrew was held behind closed doors and the minutes are sealed.

The next day, Arapahoe County prosecutors filed two new charges against Craig, including solicitation to commit murder.

“These additional allegations, if supported by evidence, make this case an absolute slam-dunk for the prosecution,” said Scott Robinson, 9NEWS legal analyst. “From the prosecution side, I couldn’t ask for a simpler case – a person who allegedly poisoned his wife, left a search trail on the Internet and then tried to have the officers investigating him murdered. ”

According to court documents, Craig is accused of trying to get another inmate at the Arapahoe County Jail to kill several potential witnesses. According to sources familiar with the case, one witness is an Aurora police officer who was instrumental in the investigation into Angela’s death – a detail first reported by 9NEWS on Nov. 25.

Since then, 9NEWS Investigates has confirmed with multiple sources that the detective was not the sole target of the alleged conspiracy.

Records obtained by 9NEWS show that Craig and the other inmate Craig is accused of conspiring to commit murder were in prison together in May and June 2023 – and again on October 18, 2024, when the other man was in a car was arrested on charges of theft. Newly filed court documents say Craig had contact with the other inmate between Oct. 19 and Nov. 15.

The other man has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the alleged plot to kill the investigator.

In March 2023, Angela was hospitalized three times after suffering from a mysterious illness. The third time, Craig’s business partner at Summberbrook Dental Group told hospital nurses that he suspected she had been poisoned.

That sparked the police investigation that began before her death. She was the mother of six children.

An autopsy report said Angela ingested lethal doses of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, an ingredient commonly found in Visine.

According to the affidavit, Craig used an office computer to search for and purchase “undetectable poisons.” He also ordered crystalline metalloid arsenic from Amazon a few weeks before his wife’s death. According to the document, Craig received a package at his dental office five days before her death. It was opened by an office worker who found a biohazard sticker and a round canister labeled “potassium cyanide.”

Craig faces six felony charges related to his wife’s poisoning and murder-for-hire plot:

• First degree murder
• Two counts of solicitation to tamper with evidence
• Solicitation to commit first degree murder
• Two counts of solicitation of perjury

Craig will next appear in court on December 16th in connection with his wife’s death. It’s possible he will have a new lawyer by then, but it’s not clear when a new trial will be scheduled.

Contact 9NEWS Investigator Kevin Vaughan with tips on this or any other story at [email protected] or 303-871-1862.