Dr. James Craig, an Aurora, Colorado dentist, faces a high-profile murder trial after allegedly poisoning his wife, Angela Craig, in March 2023. During the trial, Detective Bobbi Olson, the lead investigator in the case, is testifying, as prosecutors presented evidence that Craig attempted to hire someone to kill her. Craig is accused of first-degree murder, as well as solicitation to commit murder and perjury after allegedly offering a fellow inmate $20,000 to carry out the hit.
Olson, a seasoned detective with the Aurora Police Department, testified about the collection of digital evidence, including a computer hard drive and phone seized from Craig during the investigation. During her testimony, she confirmed that Craig voluntarily handed over his electronic devices during the investigation. However, the defense challenged her testimony during cross-examination, questioning the authenticity of the digital evidence and its potential for manipulation.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the serious nature of the charges and the alleged threat against a law enforcement officer. Eric Faddis, a former Arapahoe County prosecutor, observed the trial and stressed the importance of taking threats against law enforcement seriously, as prosecutors work closely with these individuals. Faddis noted that Olson is a seasoned detective at a large law enforcement agency, and the prosecution is taking the solicitation charges against her very seriously, acknowledging that such threats are not uncommon.
In addition to Olson’s testimony, the prosecution presented evidence from David Lee, a U.S. Secret Service network intrusion forensic analyst, who examined Craig’s and Angela’s phones. Lee confirmed that Craig had sent several messages to third parties, including his alleged mistress Karin Cain and former friend Ryan Redfearn. These messages, recovered via screenshots, were said to be potentially manipulatable, raising questions about the authenticity of the evidence.
Craig’s alleged purchase of potassium cyanide is also under scrutiny. Midland Scientific, the company that fulfilled his order, described a days-long back-and-forth conversation in which Craig requested overnight shipping for the toxic substance. Craig claimed he intended to use it during a seminar, which raises further questions about the nature of his alleged intent. His wife, Angela, fell ill and was admitted to the hospital twice in March 2023, with the cyanide order received on March 9, the day she was hospitalized for the second time.
Craig is accused of poisoning his wife while secretly having an affair with Cain, who maintains that Craig told her he was divorced when their relationship began. James and Angela Craig had six children and were active in the Mormon Church, adding a layer of complexity to the case. As the trial progresses, the focus remains on the credibility of the digital evidence, the alleged threat against Olson, and the deeper tensions within the Craig marriage.