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Colorado Dentist’s Affair Exposed in Murder Trial: Over 4,000 Texts in Just 18 Days
The tumultuous love affair of a Colorado dentist, currently on trial for the alleged murder of his wife, was revealed during dramatic testimony in an Aurora courtroom. Dr. Karin Cain, a Texas orthodontist, took the stand and shed light on the emotional connection she shared with Dr. James Toliver Craig, 47, who faces first-degree murder charges in the March 2023 death of his wife, Angela Craig, 43. Angela’s death was deemed to be caused by lethal doses of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline.
A Fateful Encounter
Cain recounted the moment she met Craig at a dental conference in Las Vegas in February 2023. Following her divorce after 27 years of marriage, she was navigating the challenges of being a single mother with two adult children.
“This was the first man I had a one-on-one conversation with in 30 years,” she told the jury, emphasizing the significance of their initial meeting.
The two struck up a conversation while waiting for a shuttle to a conference dinner. “He was honest and vulnerable,” Cain recalled. During their talks, Craig revealed personal details about his children and recent divorce, although he had not yet finalized his separation.
Inspired by his sincerity, the pair shared dinner on two occasions during the conference. According to Cain, their relationship blossomed into physical intimacy, albeit she maintained that there was no sexual activity.
“We made out,” she admitted, saying she felt the relationship shifting too rapidly. She conveyed her boundaries to Craig, saying she wouldn’t consider sleeping with anyone unless he was her “forever person.” Craig responded positively, calling her boundaries “reasonable.”
An Unprecedented Communication
Their connection deepened dramatically through constant texting and calling, resulting in over 4,000 text messages exchanged in a span of just 18 days. “He said things that made me feel great,” Cain acknowledged.
Just three days into their relationship, Craig professed his love. “I’ve fallen in love with you so deeply that the list of attributes has become endless,” he wrote in one of his many messages.
Cain described the content of their texts as often spiritual, noting instances when she overheard him praying for his children during phone calls. Their exchanges occasionally turned sexual in nature. “Yes, some texts became sexting,” she confessed, recalling, “He said, ‘I know I can be all right without you. But I don’t want to be.’”
In late February, Craig sent a particularly romantic text saying, “Soñar conmigo, my eternal love. May Heaven let us bloom together forever.”
Waves of Doubt
Cain expressed her initial belief that Craig and Angela were separated and on the verge of finalizing their divorce. However, concerns crept in when Craig indicated that Angela was unhappy about a restaurant expense. “I don’t think she understands what it means to be getting divorced,” he texted.
Starting to worry about their relationship, Cain reached out, stating, “Maybe she’s not on the same page as you.” She admitted, “This is scary. I didn’t want to be part of breaking up a marriage.” Craig reassured her, stating he hadn’t disclosed anything about her.
When asked about any red flags she noticed in early 2023, Cain responded, “No. Not even in the days or weeks after. Now I do. But at the time? I missed it all.” She revealed maintaining the romance under wraps from her children, even while confiding in friends.
Among the many poetic declarations Craig sent, he confessed to past mistakes involving infidelity. He even suggested, “I could see myself asking you to marry me,” to which Cain responded, “I could see myself saying yes.”
Plans Shattered by Tragedy
Following the emotional exchange, Cain scheduled a visit to Colorado for mid-March. However, she postponed it due to Angela’s illness. When she finally made plans for March 16 through 20, Craig’s communications took a serious turn. On March 6, he texted her saying Angela thought he had drugged her. “I would never drug you,” he said, and Cain accepted his word without doubt.
Cain recounted Craig telling her Angela had previously struggled with suicidal thoughts. On March 15, the evening before her arrival, Craig sent a chilling message: “Crash. Intubated. No brain activity.”
Despite the tragic news, Craig asked her whether she would still visit and devised a covert plan for her to attend the funeral without his children’s knowledge. He also shared his growing anxiety, stating, “Worst-case scenario, what if they decide that I helped her?” Cain reassured him, saying he had an alibi, as he was at work during Angela’s ER visits.
A Shocking Arrest
Cain arrived in Colorado on March 16, where the couple spent time together, hiking and dining. However, the bliss was short-lived. Police knocked on her hotel door at 2 a.m. on March 19 and arrested Craig.
Cain testified, “I told them, ‘They’re divorcing.’”
After Craig’s arrest, he began sending Cain handwritten love letters from jail. In one heartfelt note, he wrote, “Karin, you have ruined me — ruined me in all the best ways.” Another letter poignantly stated, “I die a new death every day I cannot be near you.” Initially, Cain burned two letters but ultimately turned the rest over to authorities.
She wrote one final note, urging him not to contact her anymore.
In Pursuit of Truth
During cross-examination, defense attorney David Moses challenged Cain regarding what she was unaware of during their relationship. He pointed out she was oblivious to Craig’s ongoing cohabitation with his wife, his communications with other women, and his hiring of a prostitute in Las Vegas.
“But he knew,” Moses asserted, to which Cain replied, “Yes.”
Despite the discrepancies and betrayals, Cain described her feelings as infatuation, likening it to the exhilarating feelings of youth. “It felt exciting, like a high school girl,” she stated. “It felt like love.”
As the trial progresses, prosecutors highlighted Craig’s history of deception, including his claims about being single and living at home while actively engaging with other women on a dating platform.
Cain’s testimony, alongside others who have come into contact with Craig, paints a complex portrait of loyalty, betrayal, and ultimately a deeply troubled marriage.
