Testimony in Colorado Dentist’s Murder Trial

In a surprising turn during a Colorado murder trial, the lover of a dentist accused of killing his wife took the stand on Tuesday to recount their emotional encounters.

Dr. Karin Kane, an orthodontist from Texas, spoke about her relationship with Dr. James Toliver Craig, who is facing charges of first-degree murder following the death of his wife, Angela Craig, in March 2023. Angela, 43, died from a lethal combination of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline.

Kane recounted meeting Craig in February 2023 at a dental conference in Las Vegas. At that time, she had just finalized her divorce after 27 years of marriage and was adjusting to life as a single parent to her two adult children. “This was the first guy I had a one-on-one conversation with in 30 years,” she shared with the jury.

The two struck up a conversation while waiting for transportation to dinner, and Kane remembered how open and vulnerable Craig was, discussing his own divorce and his children. Though he hadn’t divorced yet when they met, his honesty was disarming for her, leading to two shared dinners during the conference.

Kane testified that their relationship intensified physically during that trip, but she emphasized that there was no sexual activity. “We made it,” she noted, but eventually felt the pace was too fast. “I told him I wouldn’t sleep with anyone unless he was my ‘eternal man’,” she explained to the judge, to which Craig responded that her boundaries were “rational.”

Even with this pause, they exchanged countless texts—over 4,000 in just 18 days. Kane admitted that some messages crossed into “sexting,” and she found herself feeling more deeply connected to Craig. “He said, ‘I know I’m fine without you, but I don’t want to be,'” she recalled.

In late February, Craig referred to Kane as his eternal love in a poetic message, expressing an unwavering faith in their relationship. Kane, meanwhile, thought that Craig was already divorced or very close to it, believing they were aligned on their future together. However, when Craig mentioned that his wife wasn’t handling the divorce well, Kane grew worried. “Maybe she’s not on the same page as you,” she texted, expressing her reluctance to be part of a broken marriage.

Despite her concerns, Kane spoke enthusiastically to friends about her budding romance, though she kept it hidden from her children. Craig would send her numerous romantic messages, including confessions of past mistakes and a suggestion of marriage.

Plans took a serious turn when Kane booked a visit to Colorado, which she had to delay as Angela became ill. On March 6, Craig reassured her, stating that Angela believed she had taken her medication. Kane said she was inclined to believe him when he claimed that Angela had attempted to take her own life before. On March 15, Craig texted about Angela’s grave condition.

After arriving in Colorado on March 16, Kane and Craig spent time together, hiking and dining. But on March 19, police arrived at Craig’s hotel and arrested him, which Kane described as a shocking moment.

Later, from prison, Craig began sending love letters to Kane, which she initially burned but eventually handed over to authorities. Under cross-examination, Kane was forced to confront the reality that much of what Craig said was untrue, including his claims of infidelity and his marital status.

Testimony from a “Sugar Baby”

Another witness, Carrie Hageseth, shared details of her own experience with Craig, describing their “sugar baby” relationship after meeting on a dating site. She described how Craig made unsettling comments about wanting to “purge” his wife and disclosed sinister details about his supposed plans.

As the trial continues, the complex web of relationships and motives surrounding Angela Craig’s death becomes increasingly intricate.