The murder trial of a Colorado dentist accused of poisoning his wife has been put on hold after his defense attorney “abruptly resigned” during jury selection.
James Tolliver Craig, 45, is accused of killing his wife Angela Craig by putting a poison in her protein shake.
Angela Craig, 43, who was married to her husband for 23 years and was the mother of six children, died in March 2023 from cyanide and tetrahydrozoline poisoning. The latter is a substance found in over-the-counter eye drops, the newspaper reported. Coroner.
The trial had previously been postponed and was scheduled to begin with jury selection on Thursday. KDVR reported. But on Thursday morning, the defense attorney moved to withdraw from the case, citing a “professional conflict,” according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office.
Colorado dentist's wife tried to make a fellow inmate post a fake suicide note while suspected of being poisoned: police say
Two photos of James Oliver, the dentist accused of murdering his wife Angela Craig. (Facebook)
A judge granted the withdrawal under the Code of Professional Conduct, but Craig declined representation and the case was delayed.
A detailed arrest affidavit alleges that Craig flew his girlfriend, an orthodontist, from Austin to Denver as his wife was dying. The two also reportedly exchanged “sexually explicit emails.”
The indictment described the couple's rocky marriage, financial difficulties and Craig's sinister plot to kill her.
“Overall, this investigation demonstrated that James went to great lengths to end his wife's life.” Detective Bobby Olson of the Aurora Police Department he wrote in the affidavit.
Investigators said Craig created a secret email account called jimandwaffles.com on February 27, but only used it on computers at the now-closed Summerbrook Dental Group.
Colorado dentist accused of forcing wife to drink protein shake to start new life with girlfriend
Colorado dentist James Craig (right) is accused of fatally poisoning his wife, Angela Craig. The two had six children. (Facebook)
Police said Craig had searched online for “how to make a murder look like a heart attack” and “how to make poison” a few days before his wife complained of symptoms such as dizziness, tremors and cold lips. .
Craig also allegedly researched and purchased several “undetectable poisons” and ordered an emergency shipment of potassium cyanide even though it was not needed.
Investigators say Craig bought the poison online just before his wife started having symptoms that doctors couldn't pinpoint, but lawyers say there was no direct evidence that he put the poison in her shake. They claim there is no evidence and accuse Olson of bias. he.
Her sister Toni Koford told police: Craig drugged his wife Because he had planned to commit suicide about five years ago and didn't want her to stop him.
Koford told investigators that the couple's marriage had always been “tumultuous” and that Craig had “multiple relationships with multiple women” and had been “addicted to pornography since he was a teenager.” .
Colorado dentist accused of poisoning wife, on the verge of financial ruin: court documents
Family photo of Angela and Colorado dentist James Craig. James was charged with first-degree murder for allegedly poisoning his wife. (Facebook)
Angela Craig said she had told her sister many times over the past 16 years that she was leaving, but he always convinced her to stay. The couple was also bankrupt and on the verge of being declared bankrupt for a second time, documents state.
Angela Craig complained to her sister that her husband spent more than $2,000 gambling on a recent trip to Las Vegas.
Back in May, Craig was accused of asking a fellow prison inmate to plant letters in his wife's garage and truck to make it appear as if she was suicidal. Olson said the inmate believed the letter was written by Craig, but it was meant to appear as if his wife had written it.
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According to Olson, in exchange for planting letters, Craig offered inmates money to post bond to be released from prison or receive free dental care, but the inmates refused to accept the offer. Unable to make up his mind, he reportedly reported the incident to the authorities. Detectives previously testified.
Craig has already been indicted. first degree murder There was also an invitation to tamper with physical evidence. He pleaded not guilty to these two charges in November 2023.
His next court appearance is scheduled for December 16th.
Fox News' Rebecca Rosenberg and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com.
