James Craig, a dentist and father of six from Colorado, is currently facing serious legal troubles as prosecutors have levied additional felony charges against him. Craig, who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges, is accused of fatally poisoning his wife, Angela Craig, 43, in 2023 by lacing her protein shakes with cyanide and tetrahydrozoline. The case took a darker turn during a recent court hearing in Centennial, Colorado, where prosecutors revealed that Craig is now facing new charges related to solicitation to commit murder and perjury. According to the allegations, Craig attempted to arrange the killings of four individuals, including a lead detective on the case, in an apparent effort to obstruct justice and discredit those involved in his prosecution.
The new charges stem from Craig’s alleged attempts to recruit a fellow inmate, Nathaniel Harris, to carry out the murders. Detectives say Craig targeted Detective Bobbi Olson, the lead investigator in his wife’s murder case, as well as three other individuals: Officer Hillstrand, Tommy Nunley, and Roderic “Rodger” Crittenden. Prosecutors allege that Craig offered Harris $20,000 to kill Olson and the others, and even provided detailed instructions on how to carry out the crimes. In a letter written from jail, Craig referred to Olson as “the worst, dirtiest detective in the world” and stated, “we have to discredit her.” This revelation has raised concerns about Craig’s willingness to go to great lengths to avoid accountability for his alleged crimes.
Craig’s legal team has faced its own challenges in recent months. Just as his trial was set to begin in November, his attorney, Harvey Steinberg, abruptly withdrew from the case. Steinberg cited two rules of professional conduct in his withdrawal request: one stating that a client’s actions may be criminal or fraudulent, and another indicating that a client may insist on actions the lawyer finds repugnant or disagrees with fundamentally. Steinberg has not publicly commented on his decision, but the sudden withdrawal has added another layer of complexity to the already contentious case. Craig’s new defense team, led by attorneys Robert Werking and Lisa Moses, has argued that the new charges against their client are based on insufficient evidence and investigative errors.
During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented testimony from Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Nicholas Hudson, who detailed his interviews with Nathaniel Harris. Harris allegedly told Hudson that Craig offered him $20,000 to kill Olson and others, and even provided the name and address of Harris’ ex-wife, Kasiani “Kasi” Konstantinidis, in an attempt to fabricate evidence. Prosecutors also presented two letters Craig wrote to Konstantinidis, in which he attempted to solicit her help in creating a false narrative about his wife’s death. The letters, intercepted by authorities, reveal Craig’s efforts to manipulate evidence and discredit Detective Olson by fabricating a story that Angela Craig was suicidal. Craig’s attorneys, however, have questioned the reliability of this evidence, arguing that there is no concrete proof Craig wrote the letters and that the charges rely heavily on unverified conversations.
The case against Craig is bolstered by a detailed affidavit and autopsy report, which shed light on the circumstances surrounding Angela Craig’s death. The coroner’s report found that Angela died on March 18, 2023, from lethal doses of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, with arsenic poisoning listed as a contributing factor. Prosecutors have also presented evidence that Craig meticulously planned and executed his wife’s murder, searching for ways to kill her undetected and attempting to cover his tracks by creating a false alibi. The affidavit further suggests that Craig was motivated by a desire to start a new life with another woman, and that he used his knowledge of toxic substances to carry out the crime.
Despite the defense’s objections, Judge Shay Whitaker ruled that prosecutors had met their burden of proof to move forward with the solicitation charges. The case will now proceed to trial, with jury selection scheduled to begin on July 10, 2024. As the legal proceedings continue, the case has drawn attention for its disturbing allegations of murder, obstruction of justice, and manipulation from behind bars. James Craig’s story serves as a chilling reminder of the lengths to which some individuals may go to avoid accountability, and the challenges faced by law enforcement and prosecutors in bringing such cases to justice.
