News Summary
James Craig, an Aurora dentist, faces severe legal challenges as he is charged with the first-degree murder of his wife and plotting to kill a detective. His attorney’s withdrawal, following arson accusations, raises concerns about his legal strategy. With new charges of solicitation to commit murder, the case has garnered significant media attention. The family of the deceased seeks justice amid a complex legal battle, with a trial now set for December 2024.
Aurora Dentist’s Legal Troubles Worsen: Charged with Poisoning His Wife and New Attempts to Kill Detective
The case against James Craig, an Aurora dentist charged with the first-degree murder of his wife, Angela Craig, has taken a dramatic turn. Just days before his highly publicized murder trial was set to begin in Arapahoe County District Court, Craig faced not only allegations of poisoning his wife but also new charges related to a shocking plot to murder a detective involved in the investigation.
Attorney Withdrawals Create Turbulence
In a troubling development for Craig, his attorney, Robert Werking, has withdrawn from the case after being apprehended on suspicion of arson. Werking was discovered on the porch of his home, which was engulfed in flames, just two days prior to his withdrawal, marking a precarious moment in Craig’s legal strategy. This is not the first shake-up in Craig’s defense team; it represents the second instance of a legal representative departing the case before the trial commenced.
Werking’s wife, Lisa Fine Moses, who is also an attorney, remains part of Craig’s legal team alongside newly appointed Ashley Witham, who joined on June 18. The complications surrounding Werking’s arrest have resulted in court records being sealed at the behest of the Chief Deputy District Attorney, who raised concerns regarding the implications for Craig’s right to a fair trial.
The Allegations Against James Craig
The charges against Craig are alarming, with accusations that he poisoned Angela with cyanide and tetrahydrozoline. Angela Craig died on March 18, 2023, after suffering mysterious, severe symptoms that had stumped medical professionals for two weeks. Craig had allegedly purchased toxic substances shortly before his wife’s death and engaged in extensive research regarding methods of poisoning. Despite defense claims, forensic examinations failed to uncover traces of poison in the protein shakes that Craig allegedly tainted.
Details surrounding Angela’s health prior to her death further complicate the narrative. Her symptoms aligned closely with known effects of arsenic and cyanide exposure. Craig’s alarming behavior escalated significantly following Angela’s tragic death, leading to his arrest hours after she was pronounced brain dead.
New Charges and Mental State Concerns
In an unexpected twist, Craig now faces new charges filed in November 2024, specifically solicitation of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit perjury. This new development alleges that while incarcerated, Craig conspired to have a key investigative detective murdered—a shocking escalation in a case that has already drawn considerable media attention.
Questions concerning Craig’s mental health have emerged, with reports indicating a previous history of depression and instances where he sought counseling. Witnesses and evidence suggest that he may have been under significant stress, both financially and emotionally, exacerbating his erratic actions.
A Family Seeks Justice
As the legal battle continues, the family of Angela Craig, including the couple’s six children, remains in pursuit of justice for the loss of their beloved mother. The complexities and delays in the murder trial, spurred by the recent attorney withdrawals and additional revelations, have left many wondering about the eventual outcome of this distressing case.
The prosecution plans to spotlight evidence such as searches for poison-related queries from Craig’s computer and items seized from his dental practice, which paint a dire picture of Craig’s mental state and intentions surrounding Angela’s tragic demise.
What Lies Ahead
With the murder trial’s commencement hindered by these developments, Craig’s upcoming court appearance is set for December 16, 2024. Anticipation grows around whether the new legal representation can navigate the choppy waters of this multifaceted case, as the clock ticks down on justice for Angela Craig and her family.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: Cyanide
- Denver Post
- Google Search: James Craig Aurora dental case
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Poison
Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON
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