AURORA, Colo. — Jury selection is slated to start on Thursday in the trial of James Craig, a former Aurora dentist accused of fatally poisoning his wife with potassium cyanide and Visine eye drops.
The trial follows months of delays and the addition of charges for evidence tampering and perjury. Legal experts believe these additional charges could significantly bolster the prosecution's case.
"Those are obstacles I don't think even the most skilled defense lawyer can overcome," said Scott Robinson, a 9NEWS legal analyst.
Angela Craig died March 1, 2023, after ingesting lethal doses of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, an ingredient commonly found in Visine, according to an autopsy report from the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office. The report also lists arsenic poisoning as a "significant condition" related to her death.
Court documents reveal that Craig allegedly used his office computer to research and purchase "undetectable poisons" weeks before Angela's death.
The evidence tampering and perjury charges were filed later when investigators accused Craig of trying to persuade a fellow inmate to help him find women willing to provide false testimony at his trial.
An Aurora Police detective testified about a letter Craig sent to the former inmate that detailed an elaborate plan. Craig wanted the former inmate to find one or two "attractive women" who would be willing to give false testimony, according to transcripts. The women would say Angela learned about the affair, wanted a divorce and had asked the women to help her frame Craig for a crime.
"From my perspective, the evidence in this case is literally overwhelming. The prosecution almost has too much evidence to put on, and they have to be pretty selective as to what they decide to use," Robinson said.
Despite the publicity the case has gotten, Robinson does not anticipate difficulties in selecting an impartial jury. The trial is set to begin on Dec. 2.
This article includes reporting from Janet Oravetz and Kelly Reinke.