Man Arrested After Wife's Death Involving Protein Shakes — New Trial Details Released

A Colorado dentist charged with killing his wife using poisoned protein shakes is headed to trial, following new and disturbing testimony presented in court, including revelations from his daughters.

James Craig was first arrested in March 2023 for allegedly poisoning his wife, Angela Craig, with arsenic, cyanide, and tetrahydrozoline, a substance found in over-the-counter eye drops. He has since been rearrested and is now formally accused.

According to AP News, the alleged poisoning occurred shortly after Craig began an affair and conducted a series of incriminating online searches, including "is arsenic detectable in an autopsy?" and "how to make murder look like a heart attack."

Meanwhile, Angela, unaware of the alleged plot, reportedly searched Google for explanations for her symptoms, including vertigo and cold lips.

Angela died on March 18, 2023, after being taken off life support during her third hospital visit. At Wednesday's hearing, District Attorney John Kellner told the court, "This is a person who is tragically being slowly poisoned by her husband."

James's defense team countered that there was no direct proof he had laced her drinks with toxins, arguing that the lead investigator, Bobbi Olson, showed bias.

Under cross-examination, Bobbi admitted that FBI testing on two of the bottles used for protein shakes showed no traces of arsenic or cyanide. Still, Judge Shay Whitaker ruled there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to a trial. Toxicology results confirmed that Angela had been poisoned with cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, testified Arapahoe County Coroner Kelly Lear.

An arrest warrant revealed that suspicions were first raised when the accused's dental partner and friend, Ryan Redfearn, alerted a nurse that Craig had ordered potassium cyanide, despite having no medical reason to use it.

Investigators allege James misled suppliers, claiming the chemical was needed for a surgical procedure. He also reportedly told his office manager not to open the package, but another employee did. That was the move that unraveled the plot.

Neither court testimony nor the affidavit has clarified how tetrahydrozoline was administered, but the investigation is ongoing. The case took a dramatic turn on Thursday when two of Angela's daughters testified in court, offering emotional and damaging accounts, CNN reports.

James's 20-year-old daughter said her father asked her to help create a fake video to make it seem as though Angela had requested the fatal substances.

According to prosecutors, a letter, allegedly written by Craig, included detailed instructions for staging the video. The alleged materials used were a cheap laptop, while the alleged instructions were to install a dark web browser, pay with prepaid gift cards, and store the footage on thumb drives.

"I love you … I'm sorry to even have to ask you for this help," prosecutor Michael Mauro read from the letter in court. The daughter testified that the request left her confused and emotionally wrecked.

Living at home at the time, she had often helped care for her younger siblings and had driven her mother to the emergency room. She recalled finding Angela "almost fainted on the floor" and described her as "super tired and super out of it."

Angela's oldest daughter also testified, sharing that her father opposed an autopsy, telling her it would only "satisfy their curiosities. When she voiced concerns about a possible hereditary illness, James reportedly said nothing.

"We were making plans," the 21-year-old said, appearing in court alongside a comfort dog named Fancy. She remembered her mother as vibrant and health-conscious, a yoga and Pilates fan who worked out daily on her stationary bike.

As the family grieved in court, more background emerged about James's alleged affair with Texas-based orthodontist Karin Cain, whom he met at a dental conference in February.

Karin told ABC's "Good Morning America" that she was in the process of divorcing her husband and didn't know Craig was married when their relationship began.

"I don't like that label," she said of being referred to as James's mistress. "If I had known what was true, I would not have been with this person." She added, "There's no way I'm [sic] motive," denying she's a motive for the accused's behavior.

Angela's family also recounted a disturbing prior incident that happened years earlier. James allegedly drugged his wife during his suicide attempt, telling her he didn't want to be saved.

That episode resurfaced in text messages sent by James after Angela fell ill in March. "Given our history I know that must be triggering. Just for the record, I didn't drug you. I am super worried though [sic]," he wrote, according to the arrest affidavit.

James has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder, solicitation to commit murder, tampering with evidence, and perjury. Investigators also intercepted a delivery of Oleandrin, a toxin found in the oleander plant, before it could be used.

Angela was remembered in her obituary as a loving wife and mother of six. She was also a choir director and youth leader at her church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and loved animals despite being allergic to most of them.

She enjoyed mystery shows, food truck meals, and anything that made her smile. Her family has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her children's ongoing and future needs.

As the case moves through the courts, Angela's loved ones are left mourning a life cut short. Their grief is now intertwined with a deep pursuit of truth and justice.