James Craig Trial: Closing Arguments Conclude in Poisoning Case

Jury Deliberates in James Craig Trial

In Centennial, Colorado, a jury spent approximately four hours deliberating on Tuesday in the case of James Craig at the Arapahoe County Justice Center. Craig, 47, is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, solicitation to commit murder, and solicitation to commit perjury. He is accused of poisoning his wife, Angela Craig, with cyanide and tetrahydrozoline in 2023.

Background of the Case

The prosecution claims that financial difficulties and marital infidelity were the driving forces behind Craig’s alleged actions. They argue that he poisoned his wife's protein shakes, leading to her death. On the other hand, the defense has presented a different narrative, suggesting that Angela was aware of these issues and that her death might not have been intentional. The defense even proposed the idea that Angela could have taken her own life.

During the opening statements on July 15, the prosecution emphasized the financial and personal turmoil within the marriage as the key motivations for the alleged crime. The defense, however, countered by stating that Angela was fully aware of the marital problems and that there was no clear motive for such an act.

Closing Arguments

The closing arguments took place on Tuesday morning, with the defense asserting that James Craig had a suicide pact with his wife, Angela. However, the prosecution refuted this claim, stating that Angela was not suicidal and that Craig fabricated the theory in a false manifesto to mislead investigators.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Mauro highlighted the inconsistencies in Craig's story, saying, “The devil is in the details, and he can’t keep the details straight. You all know through your reason and common sense, the truth doesn’t change. James Craig isn’t telling the truth. He’s telling a false narrative.”

Prosecutors also described Craig as a “man on a mission,” claiming that he wanted to avoid a divorce to protect his financial assets and maintain his reputation. They further stated that the idea of a “game of chicken” between the couple was not accurate.

Defense Perspective

The defense attorneys argued that Angela was “broken” and that the case relied on assumptions and speculation from detectives who did not conduct a thorough investigation. They claimed that financial issues were not a motive since the couple did not face insurmountable financial problems.

Defense attorney Lisa Moses stated, “There was love, there was love in the relationship. Was it broken? Absolutely. But there was love.” She also pointed out that there was no definitive evidence to determine who actually put the poisons into Angela’s shakes and medication.

Moses added, “He cheated on his wife constantly. They (prosecutors) proved beyond a reasonable doubt that he was not faithful. But this idea, that somehow this was some sort of motive, is nothing new.”

Emotional Moments

During the closing arguments, Craig was seen crying when parts of Angela Craig’s journal were read aloud. He wiped his eyes and wept, showing his emotional response to the proceedings.

Next Steps

The jury is expected to continue its deliberations on the six counts against James Craig on Wednesday morning. The outcome of the trial will be closely watched, as it involves serious allegations and a complex web of relationships and motivations.