In a dramatic trial unfolding in Aurora, Colorado, Dr. James Toliver Craig stands accused of first-degree murder for allegedly poisoning his wife, Angela Craig, with fatal doses of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline. The trial revealed the complexities of his life and interpersonal relationships, particularly through the testimony of Dr. Karin Cain, his lover, and fellow dental professional. Cain described her connection with Craig, which began at a dental conference just weeks before Angela’s untimely death. Fresh from a recent divorce, Cain was drawn to Craig’s vulnerability and sincerity, remarking on the emotional depth of their nightly conversations and the burgeoning intimacy of their relationship.
Their affair escalated rapidly after they met in February 2023, culminating in sharing two dinners during the conference. While Cain emphasized that there was no sexual intercourse, she admitted they became physically intimate, which prompted her to establish boundaries. Despite this, their communication turned increasingly passionate, with over 4,000 text messages exchanged in just 18 days. In those messages, Craig professed his love and revealed his thoughts on the dissolution of his marriage, which Cain believed was already in the process. However, she began to question the state of his marriage when Craig mentioned financial disagreements with Angela.
As the trial progressed, it was revealed that Craig’s relationship with Angela was far more complicated than Cain initially understood. On multiple occasions, Cain expressed her apprehensions about the ethical implications of their relationship, especially as it seemed Angela was not aware of the affair. Notably, Craig reassured her, stating he had not disclosed anything about Cain to Angela. Although Cain believed Craig’s reassurances and remained optimistic, in hindsight, she recognized the warning signs she had missed.
In the days that followed, the situation escalated dramatically. Craig’s texts to Cain became increasingly frantic, especially after he alleged that Angela suspected him of drugging her. On March 15, he sent a message indicating that Angela had lost all brain activity. A day later, Cain traveled to Colorado, and the two reunited for romantic outings before Craig’s arrest. His arrest on March 19 abruptly ended their plans and triggered a wave of handwritten letters from jail, expressing his deep feelings for her—but Cain ultimately decided to cease communication after returning the letters to detectives.
In a sharp turn during the trial, the prosecution painted a darker picture of Craig through testimonies suggesting manipulative and double-dealing behavior. Under cross-examination, Cain admitted that she was unaware of Craig’s ongoing marital status. The defense lawyer attempted to paint Cain’s feelings as infatuation, questioning whether it was genuine love. Cain described her feelings as youthful excitement but later acknowledged the misleading nature of many of Craig’s claims.
Adding another layer of complexity, Carrie Hageseth, a Lyft driver, testified about her own interactions with Craig, detailing their “sugar baby” relationship. Hageseth recounted a disturbing conversation where Craig expressed a desire to “purge” his wife and described potential methods of murder. Her testimony painted a portrait of a man deeply troubled, entangled in multiple deceitful relationships. The trial continues to unfold, revealing not just the shocking nature of a supposedly loving husband turned murderer but also the web of relationships that led to this tragic event.
