U.S. News
Colorado Dentist Faces Life for Wife’s Poisoning
Clear Facts
- Dr. James Toliver Craig, a Colorado dentist, was found guilty of first-degree murder for poisoning his wife, Angela Craig.
- Court sentenced Craig to life in prison with no chance of parole following the verdict.
- Angela Craig’s cause of death was determined to be acute poisoning by cyanide and tetrahydrozoline.
Dr. James Toliver Craig, 47, was convicted Wednesday of murdering his wife in a calculated poisoning scheme and given a life sentence without parole.
The jury also found him guilty of multiple counts, including solicitation to tamper with evidence, solicitation to commit perjury, and solicitation to commit murder.
Immediately after the verdict, family members remembered Angela Craig in court, sharing emotional statements about their loss.
One of her sons described, “I set a nightly 10 p.m. alarm labeled ‘Mom’ as a way to remember her.”
Angela’s oldest brother, Ricky Pray, honored her dedication, saying, “I’ve always been impressed by Angie’s obvious love and support for her children. She always found ways to draw in and include our extended family.”
He added, “Because of his selfishness, lust, dishonesty, and narcissism, our Angie is gone.”
Catherine Pray, Angela’s sister, criticized Craig during sentencing, calling him a “snake in the grass” who betrayed the family.
She said, “We were fooled. We were unable to help her. We were unable to save her. We were unable to rescue her from the person who was supposed to honor her, protect her. To save himself, he and his lawyers attacked her—her mental health, her faith, her loyalty, even accusing her of taking her own life. Shameful.”
Angela’s sister, Cheri Pray Earl, addressed the court through tears, stating, “I stand here knowing that no matter how I feel or what I say, it won’t affect you. You’re incapable of real feelings—for anyone, even yourself. So I speak today for my baby sister and best friend, Angela.”
She continued, “She was not isolated, not angry, not broken. She was not the woman your defense tried to describe.”
One of Angela and James Craig’s daughters shared the heartbreak of moving forward without her mother:
“I was supposed to hug my mom when he died. Instead, I was left to take him home and figure out what to do. My mom was gone.”
“I was supposed to get through my sister’s wedding with my mom. Even though I didn’t want to plan weddings—she did. I was supposed to tell her my stories, my projects, even the ones I never finished.”
Speaking about her father, she said, “My dad was supposed to be my hero. But he’ll forever be the villain in my story. And that hurts so bad.”
James Craig declined to speak during the sentencing.
Angela Craig, 47, died after a series of hospital visits in March 2023. Medical reports stated the cause was poisoning from cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a substance in common eye drops.
Prosecutors argued Craig’s motive involved financial distress and an affair with a Texas orthodontist. The defense alleged Angela was depressed and suicidal, but her friends and family refuted these claims in court.
Nicole Harmon, Angela’s childhood friend, testified, “She wasn’t a risk-taker. She wasn’t manipulative. And she never said anything—ever—about wanting to die.”
Court records show Angela Craig began experiencing severe symptoms, including dizziness and vomiting, in early March 2023, which rapidly worsened.
She was hospitalized multiple times before being declared brain-dead in August 2023. Prosecutors revealed evidence of poisoning through court documents and medical testimony.
For further details, visit:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
