ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — One former and one current inmate who both shared a cell at different times with the Aurora dentist accused of murdering his wife testified in court Wednesday that James Craig asked them to help cover his tracks, create false testimony, and solicit others to kill investigators working on his case.
James Craig is on trial for one charge of first-degree murder, two counts of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence, two counts of solicitation to commit perjury in the first degree, and one count of solicitation to commit first-degree murder. Five of the charges were added to this case during his time in jail.
He is accused of killing his wife, Angela Craig, 43, by poisoning her workout smoothies. Her cause of death was determined to be lethal doses of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a decongestant found in over-the-counter eyedrops. She suffered through several bouts of sickness before her passing, and doctors struggled to determine why she was ill.
He was arrested on March 19, 2023. His bond was set at $10 million on June 28, 2023. That October, he pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
James Craig's trial began on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
You can read Denver7's previous reporting on this trial here:
- Opening statements/day 1 - Tuesday, July 15
- Day 2 - Wednesday, July 16
- Day 3 - Thursday, July 17
- Day 4 - Friday, July 18
- Day 5 - Monday, July 21
- Day 6 - Tuesday, July 22
Denver7 reporter Colette Bordelon is in court Wednesday and we are summarizing the seventh day of the trial in this story.
Court resumes with testimony from James Craig's former cellmate
Court resumed Wednesday morning with defense attorneys performing a cross-examination of Kasey Bohannon, a former inmate in the Arapahoe County Jail who knew James Craig while they were both in custody in March of 2023.
Defense attorney Lisa Moses' line of questioning centered around Bohannon's substance use before and during his time in jail.
He was also asked if he told anyone about James Craig's alleged scheme, where Bohannon testified he was asked to plant forged evidence related to Angela Craig and suicide in and around the family home. Additionally, she questioned him on his knowledge of the Craig case, but Bohannon said he didn't learn specifics about the case via the news.
Moses pressed Bohannon, asking if he knew when he first contacted prosecutors in the summer of 2023 with these allegations that a probation violation was coming his way.
"I'm not 100% certain. I knew I wasn't doing what I should be, according to terms of probation," Bohannon told the jury.
Still, he agreed with Moses said that he knew the following day about the probation violation when he spoke with Aurora Police Detective Bobbi Olson.
In the redirect examination, prosecutor Osama Magrebi asked Bohannon if he came forward with information about the Craig case to get some kind of benefit from the prosecution, to which Bohannon replied, "absolutely not," and said the information he was providing in court Wednesday was the same information he initially gave prosecutors in July of 2023 when he was out of jail and sent them an email.
He testified that James Craig said he would "rewrite" what Angela Craig had "written" on a few pages from her journal regarding alleged suicidal ideations that were apparently "misplaced." Bohannon said James Craig told him about cameras in his house and the code to unlock his vehicle, and Bohannon was given a map of the Craig home.
Bohannon said he destroyed the map "within minutes" after it was given to him. He would later tell law enforcement about James Craig's alleged scheme.
Bohannon was then excused from the witness stand.
Nurse treating Angela Craig recalled "a lot of chaos" as her condition worsened
Prosecutor Magrebi then called Michael Foti to the witness stand, a registered nurse who works at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital Anschutz Medical Campus and an outpatient clinic connected to UCHealth. Foti has been a registered nurse since 2016, and started his career in Pennsylvania before working as a travel nurse for about six years in "a lot of hospitals all over the country."
Foti said he treated Angela Craig on March 15, 2023, and testified Angela's condition was "very poor" when he first started treating her.
"There was a lot of chaos," he recalled. "Her status, medically speaking, she was brain-dead."
Foti said he took some blood draws at around 8:20 in the evening on March 15. A blood sample from that time was previously testified about within the trial, and showed cyanide levels in Angela Craig had more than doubled while she was hospitalized, when compared to another sample taken at 11:50 a.m. that day.
There was no cross-examination from the defense and Foti was excused from the stand.
Former cellmate says James Craig wanted to have investigators killed
Prosecutor Ryan Brackley then called Nathaniel Harris to the witness stand. Harris is currently an inmate at the Denver County Jail and said he came to testify Wednesday at the request of his wife "who asked me to be here because of the situation."
Harris testified that he has not signed a cooperation agreement with the District Attorney's Office. Originally, he told prosecutors he would not testify if he was still in custody, but his wife insisted he had to because of "moral compass" reasons.
Harris told the court he knows James Craig because he was one of his cellmates in the Arapahoe County Jail back in the November of 2024 timeframe. He said he and James Craig had conversations about his case and the charges he was facing. He told the court James Craig said he was there for "allegedly murdering his wife, helping her commit suicide."
Harris said James Craig told him in jail that "his wife was suicidal and that he was ordering poisons to help her commit suicide," and that the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office was "stacking the case against him."
Harris testified James Craig was interested in Harris' past in prison and reportedly told Harris he wanted to find someone to "deal with" the last person he tried to "hire" in the medical unit, who James Craig allegedly asked "to fabricate things about his case."
Harris said he told James Craig how his ex-wife "had fabricated documents and photos in a past case" of his. James Craig was trying to find someone to fabricate stories that supported his conduct and pointed investigators in the other direction, Harris testified.
James Craig allegedly gave Harris a letter that was meant to be mailed to the woman he called his ex-wife, Kasiani Konstantinidis. That letter was discovered by law enforcement and detailed in later testimony.
Konstantinidis was upset with Harris about the letter and did not want to be involved, he said.
Harris also testified that James Craig spoke in detail about Aurora Police Detective Bobbi Olson, the lead investigator on his case. James Craig allegedly told Harris that Olson was "out to get him" and "lying on him."
Harris testified that James Craig wanted him to find someone who could kill Olson. Due to his past in prison, James Craig "figured I knew where to find those people," Harris said.
"He wanted me to source out somebody," Harris told the jury. "And before things got out of hand, I told him I'd handle it."
When asked what he meant by "handle it," Harris testified that he was concerned James Craig would find someone who would actually would. James Craig allegedly told Harris there was a "blank check involved."
James Craig also talked about a specific sheriff's deputy who was "horrible to him," Harris said. According to Harris, James Craig wanted him to take photographs of the deputy's son getting off the school bus "for intimidation."
When asked why Harris did not discuss what James Craig was allegedly saying, Harris replied by saying "talking to other inmates about killing people really isn't on my agenda."
James Craig reportedly told Harris his own son would have information about how to find Olson and the sheriff's deputy. Harris added that James Craig "wanted a hit" on Olson before the first trial started, which was previously scheduled for the end of 2024.
In cross-examination, defense attorney Ashley Witham began by asking Harris about his time behind bars. Harris spent more than 10 years in prison for a past crime, and agreed he knows how to conduct himself while incarcerated.
Then, Witham brought up a woman named Loretta who Harris referred to as his wife. Harris confirmed that he and Loretta communicate via a tablet while he is in jail, and begrudgingly agreed that the two of them have an "up and down" relationship.
Witham asked if Harris remembered telling Loretta that he had information he planned to use for his benefit. Harris claimed he did not remember saying that.
Witham questioned Harris further, saying he must have known that information about someone charged with a crime would be valuable to law enforcement. Harris replied with a question: "If it was valuable, would I still be sitting in handcuffs?"
Harris testified that he did not know James Craig's case was considered high-profile until they met. According to Harris, James Craig is who informed him about the notoriety of the case.
Then, Harris testified that James Craig followed him "around like a puppy" while they were in jail together. Harris, who admitted he did not care for James Craig, had his wife call the jail and request their cell be searched for the letter referenced earlier. That letter was kept within Harris' possessions in the cell, he said.
Harris admitted he was "offered something" by prosecutors in exchange for his testimony that he "did not take." Harris continued to claim the offer "didn't work for me," and that he just learned of it at the beginning of July.
Witham insinuated that Harris did not take the deal because he did not want his name connected to "snitching," which he denied.
There was no redirect from the prosecution.
Prosecutors present letter allegedly written by James Craig in order to discredit detective
Prosecutors then called Sgt. Nicholas Hudson to the witness stand. Hudson works at the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and has been with the department for a little over seven years. He is currently a sergeant assigned to the court services section, and his responsibilities are transport coordination. Prior to his time at the sheriff's office, he was employed with the Colorado State Patrol.
In November of 2024, Hudson told the court he was assigned to the jail, where he worked the graveyard shift. On November 9, 2024, he was on duty and got a call from a woman named Loretta — who the prior witness described as his wife.
Hudson said Loretta called about a concerning letter that Harris claimed to receive from James Craig. Loretta believed it would be found within the cell they shared. Hudson went to retrieve that letter.
The sergeant testified he was concerned for Harris' safety and wanted to protect him from "any kind of speculation that he was handing over a letter." So, Hudson told the court he came up with a plan to search the cell under the guise that he was looking for illicit substances.
That search happened on November 10 of 2024, and the 11-page letter was found within Harris' possessions. The letter was in a legal envelope and addressed to an attorney, but Harris testified James Craig wanted him to mail it to his ex-wife.
Hudson asked Harris for permission to take the letter and open it, since it appeared to be related to legal matters. The sergeant said that if he had not asked Harris about the location of the letter, he would have likely missed it due to the way it was disguised.
Hudson, prompted by prosecutors, read portions of the letter allegedly written by James Craig to the jury. Some of those sections read in the courtroom are detailed below, in part.
The letter ends with the signature: "Thank you in advance for making me and my kids the happiest people on earth, Jimmy Craig."
"Hey Kasi [Harris' ex-wife], I know you don't know me, and I don't know you... I would never normally be this trusting, but I have been unjustly accused of a truly horrible crime... thus fighting fire with fire to clear my name and return me to my kids."
"... Favor I am asking of you, there will of course be a financial incentive, but I know you do not need my money. But it's worth it to me... so I'd like to offer $20,000 to each witness... I'd like for you to be one of the witnesses, and your sister... after I pay you, you can pay the others in accordance to what you feel is appropriate... I can pay you once I'm out and my assets are unfrozen..."
"... My attorney is Harvey Steinberg, who I think you know... but I think it might be best if you went directly to the DA to execute this plan... First, someone in jail set me up... I wrote letters to his family and friends offering to pay them... instead of sending them to his family and friends, he sent them to the DA in an effort to negotiate his own case..."
"... I also want to give you a lot of latitude in these stories. Nate has expressed tremendous confidence in you... I would rather you do what seems natural to you, instead of sticking rigidly to a plan I devised... Nate also said you go above and beyond using photoshop... these additional proofs may be necessary to effectively sell your story... You essentially have, within reason, a blank check here..."
"I think now is a good time to share with you several details about my wife Angela..."
The letter then provided a phone number, date of birth, address, and a Facebook for the couples joint account.
"Role one, this one is for you: You are a friend of Ang's, how you met and how far back your friendship goes is up to you. You knew, because Ang confided in you, about the threat of suicide..."
"This next part is crucial. The worst, dirtiest, detective in the world is on my case. Her name is Bobbi Olson. We have to discredit her. I need you to say that after Ang died, you reached out to APD to share the above details... You told her this whole story. When you finished, Detective Olson berated you, said she didn't believe you. Accused you of lying, and told you to keep quiet... Obviously, you need to refuse to communicate with Olson... if no one will listen to you, you need to go to the media..."
"... Role 2, for your sister I hope. Also go to the DA. Your sister used to visit the family history library Ang volunteered at... Often, there was nobody there except your sister and Ang, so they became casual friends. If you're worried about the DA linking you and your sister, you can use a fake name... Make sure Harvey can contact you both after your statements make it into discovery... because I'm sure the DA is not going to call you as witnesses... Harvey will need to call you as defense witnesses..."
"... Role 3. Someone who can say they were either there with your sister at the family library... or even better, if the third witness can corroborate your story... if your sister feels comfortable incorporating more of the details from your own into her story, the better..."
"... Role 4. Go to Harvey about this, not the DA. This person is either a friend of, or somehow overheard Caitlin Romero, my former office manager... she's about 25 years old, plump, pretty face. Caitlin was recently heard bragging that she has been subpoenaed... it sounded like she fabricated evidence or testimony, something about the search history at work. Also something about how she ordered the cyanide that killed Ang. Caitlin said she did what she did because her bosses... pushed her to do it. Said they gave her a huge financial incentive to help them..."
Harvey Steinberg, who is mentioned in the letter, was one of James Craig's former attorneys, who withdrew from the case just before the initial trial was scheduled to begin in 2024.
In cross-examination, defense attorney Witham questioned Hudson about security measures throughout the Arapahoe County Jail, including what's recorded and kept as records for jail staff to review.
"You never pulled the texts between Loretta and Harris prior to the search of the cell, or listened to phone calls between the two before the search?" Witham asked.
"No, that's pretty far out of my scope," Hudson replied in part.
Witham then asked if Hudson was taking Loretta at her word, to which Hudson replied: "The findings speak for themselves."
The defense attorney then asked Hudson if there was a property sheet (a form inmates can fill out so that their belongings can be released to family or friends) in the envelope that did not have Harris' name on it.
"This is someone else's property sheet found in Harris' possession?" Witham asked.
"Correct," Hudson said.
Court then took its lunch break.
Wife of former cellmate testifies about letter she allegedly received from James Craig
After court resumed around 2 p.m. Wednesday, the prosecution called upon Kasiani Konstantinidis, the wife of Nathaniel Harris, James Craig's former cellmate. Konstantinidis and Harris have been separated since 2022, and the two have children together.
In November 2024, Konstantinidis received a letter at her home, addressed to her, from "Jimmy". She said the return address on the letter was 90210, like Beverly Hills, California.
Konstantinidis was on the phone with Bobbi Olson, the lead detective of the case with the Aurora Police Department, when she pulled the letter out of her mailbox. She testified that she started to open the letter but then stopped after being told by Olson.
Konstantinidis testified that she did not know Angela or James Craig, and she had never met or spoken with either of them. She said she did not help James Craig with his case and never met with his attorney, Harvey Steinberg. She said she has no control over what Harris tells people in jail.
She was then cross-examined by the defense. Kostantinidis said she and Harris are still legally married but currently separated. She testified that she has known Harris for 25 years and "has a good sense" of who he is.
According to Konstantinidis, Harris was struggling with drug addiction in 2024 and was in and out of jail. She testified that Harris has a reputation for being untruthful.
There was no redirect from the prosecution.
Romantic partner of James Craig said they met through "sugar dating" website
The prosecution then called Carrie Hageseth to the stand. Hageseth is a mother and drives for Lyft.
Hageseth said she met James Craig in the fall of 2022 after he messaged her on Seeking, a website initially created for "sugar dating." A couple of weeks later, the two met in person for the first time at Bonefish Grill in Loveland.
The two met roughly four times in person, according to Hageseth. She testified that there was a sexual component to her relationship with James Craig, and she at first thought that he had separated from his wife.
After one meeting at a "very nice" restaurant in Greenwood Village, the two got into their own cars and met at a hotel not far away.
Hageseth said James Craig provided money and resources to her. She testified that James Craig paid for meals when they got together, bought a $9,000 Honda Accord for her daughter, and gave Hageseth $100 for each of her children for Christmas. She also said James Craig helped pay for an attorney, as Hageseth was going through a separation at the time. The attorney's retainer was between $2,500 and $3,000, according to Hageseth, who could not recall the exact amount.
Hageseth then discussed a contract that James Craig wanted her daughter to sign related to the car.
"At the time, I believe it was to... well, he said it was to make my daughter feel responsible," Hageseth said.
The contract allegedly outlined expectations for Hageseth's daughter in exchange for the vehicle, which included maintaining good grades, according to Hageseth. She said James Craig wrote up the contract and signed the second page, but Hageseth and her daughter did not sign it.
Following discussion about the vehicle, the prosecution then began questioning Hageseth about communications between her and Craig. Hageseth testified that James Craig told her he was not happy in his marriage and was trying to figure out how to get a divorce. Craig allegedly said that financial separation from Angela was "near impossible in his eyes." He also said it would "make him completely broke and destitute, such as the situation that [Hageseth] was in."
One day, the two were talking about the movie "The Purge," in which there is one day when everyone can kill whoever they want without consequence. According to Hageseth, James Craig said he would "purge" his wife if that were reality. He also allegedly told Hageseth that he knew how to get away with murder, though he did not specifically mention his wife. James Craig reportedly talked about "just injecting somebody in the neck with a substance."
Hageseth said James Craig never mentioned that Angela Craig was suicidal.
Once the two got to know each other better, Hageseth gave James Craig her real phone number instead of using a burner phone. The prosecution then went over text messages reportedly exchanged between Hageseth and James Craig.
One message from James Craig to Hageseth read:
"Hey so big problems. Ang found the Doubletree hotel reciept, discovered the missing money I used to pay for [your daughter's] car... I told her that we met on Seeking but that I'm not sleeping with you. I just really wanted to help you out with your situation. I got you a hotel to stay in because you didn't have anywhere to sleep... told her I bought your daughter the car and the hotel to get you out of the dangerous situation you were in... I'm going to have to go radio silent for a while. And if you do get a call, now you know what I told her."
Hageseth said she knew Angela Craig's name at the time and knew that James Craig was referring to his wife. She also said that James Craig's note about them not sleeping together was false.
James Craig reportedly resent the message on January 9, 2023. Hageseth testified that she thought she saw it originally, but it took her a while to respond, so James Craig resent it. James Craig then sent the following message: "So, I've just had to lay low and I'll still need to keep doing that. I'm sorry. I'm not mad, just doing some serious damage control over here. I am so glad you're loving your attorney and doing well though. I've been worried about you."
Below is another text exchange between James Craig and Hageseth:
James Craig: "Good for you!! I'm so sorry, you're so far behind on everything. I wish I could help you. I'm seriously just at a loss. I don't see any way out for me, I'm kind of depressed about it."
Carrie Hageseth: "Sweetheart, don't say that please"
Carrie Hageseth: "I know the feeling, but you have so many reasons to live."
James Craig: "I'm not happy, but can't get divorced right now. I'm not suicidal, just stuck."
James Craig also shared how he wished he could send Hageseth more money. Hageseth testified that James Craig told her Angela Craig was "sleuthing," making it harder for him to send funds. When asked if the extra money would have been helpful at this point in her life, Hageseth responded, "Yes."
On January 14, 2023, James Craig texted Hageseth, "I hope you know I'm not putting you off. I still want to support you in every way, including financially. I have to do something about the situation I'm in first though." Hageseth believed that James Craig was talking about his marriage. She said she gave James Craig the impression that she knew someone who could help him hide his assets overseas.
On February 1, 2023, James Craig messaged Hageseth, "Do you know anyone who can help me with my problem down here? I can pay handsomely. I want to be with you." Hageseth testified that she thought the "problem" was Angela Craig.
Hageseth replied, "I think you should hit up a homeless person," meaning someone who did not have much to lose, she testified. The next day, on February 2, James Craig replied, "Hitting up a homeless person actually sounds like the only choice right now. I made $66,000 in January and I want desperately to share that with you and help you. I feel so trapped."
On February 9, James Craig messaged Hageseth, "Sorry, I'm okay. Just really trying to put out a lot of fires at home... I'm okay though, I just really can't get together right now... I hope everything is going as well as can be expected for you." A few days later, on February 13, he sent "Oh geez babe, I so wish I could figure crap out over here... I can't believe solving little problems like this is so hard. It should not be this hard." He then said, "I'm just so frustrated. And stuck."
The following message was sent to Hageseth from James Craig on February 14:
"Yeah, I know you're used to it, and you're strong but this day is honestly killing me. I want to be with you so bad. And I know that money doesn't solve problems but it can exacerbate a lot of problems when theyre isn't any of it... I have had some really really amazing profitable months... I just can't get any of the money into your hands right now. It sucks... Especially when I think about how you can't feed your kids, and you are on the brink of homelessness... We need to find a way to solve my problem..."
This message was also sent to Hageseth by James Craig:
"I was thinking of bringing $2,000 to help you out, but let me know if this is something you're interested in, because I can still help you out even if it's just next week for lunch... I'm so sorry if there was every any suggestion that you would meet me for free... we are in an arrangement... and I hope that your resourcefulness will be able to help me..."
Hageseth said she and James Craig last talked on February 18, 2023.
The defense then began its cross-examination of Hageseth, starting with her relationship with James Craig.
Lisa Moses asked Hageseth if she would "date" James Craig in exchange for money or other items. Hageseth said such an exchange was one part of the operation.
Hageseth testified that some of the texts exchanged with James Craig were intimate. Moses highlighted that James Craig would give Hageseth compliments and tell her how great she is. Moses asked Hageseth if that felt good, to which Hageseth responded, "I'm not sure that it felt good, always."
Moses then questioned Hageseth about the attorney James Craig reportedly paid to help during her separation. Hageseth said James Craig knew she was in a battle for custody over her children, which she eventually lost.
The defense then moved on to a meeting between Carrie Hageseth and Bobbi Olson in February 2024. When questioned, Hageseth said she did not remember if she told Olson about James Craig's alleged comment about "The Purge." Moses asserted that Hageseth did not tell Olson about James Craig's alleged comment about injecting someone in the neck, to which Hageseth replied, "I remember talking about a substance with them."
During redirect, prosecutor Michael Mauro showed Hageseth her full statements to Bobbi Olson, which included comments made about an injection and "The Purge."
The jury then asked two questions. The first was when the relationship between James Craig and Hageseth ended, and the second was whether Hageseth thought about marrying James Craig. Hageseth said their relationship ended on February 18, 2023, and the two discussed getting married in the future.
Hageseth was then excused from the stand.
Another romantic partner talks about trip to Montana
The prosecution then called Jordan Ivey to the stand. In late 2022, she was living in Colorado and was on Seeking.com.
Jordan Ivey said she met James Craig through Seeking in October 2022. Their first date was at a restaurant downtown near Union Station.
After several dates, Ivey said she and James Craig took a trip to Montana together. She believed the trip was James Craig's idea, and he paid for the tickets.
Previously, the prosecution has presented texts from Angela Craig to James Craig where she was upset that he was in Montana, and had seemingly learned about an affair he was having.
James Craig and Ivey stayed in an Airbnb, which James Craig booked, she testified. Ivey said James Craig bought her a "nice jacket." She also said she received an iPhone and monetary gifts via Venmo during the course of their relationship.
Ivey testified, "To me, it was not very serious. I definitely felt like it [the relationship] was more serious for him than it was for me." She said she got that perception from James Craig's "excessive texting."
The two stopped talking in early January 2023. Ivey said it was not a dramatic breakup; the relationship just "tapered off."
Ivey said she was aware that James Craig was married, and he would "sometimes" discuss his marriage. During their first date, Ivey said James Craig told her he loved his wife, but there were things missing from the relationship. He reportedly mentioned not being happy at home and preparing for a divorce. Ivey said she did not suggest the divorce.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Lisa Moses pressed Ivey about her relationship with James Craig. Ivey confirmed that the relationship became sexual, and she described his constant texting as "needy."
Moses then presents some messages reportedly sent from James Craig to Ivey. The following messages were sent within days of Ivey and James Craig meeting in October 2022:
"Jeez, is this normal to meet someone one time and start making plans for all the things you like to do together? I hope this doesn't freak you out, I just feel a strong connection to you."
"I hope it just doesn't weird you out that this is so new, but I am jumping in with both feet... "
The defense attorney also brought up these messages sent by James Craig:
"Is it healthy to be this excited about spending time in the presence of another human?"
"Thank you so much for another magical evening. I still can't believe I found you. Please text me when you get home safely so I don't worry."
"Man I miss you. Sometimes when I go a long time without seeing you I miss you more..."
Moses noted that Ivey was not responding in the same tenor as James Craig, but that he persisted with his messages.
During their communications, James Craig reportedly mentioned wanting to go to Paris with Ivey in the spring. James Craig also reportedly offered to give Ivey an allowance to buy "sex things."
Moses brought up how James Craig sent Ivey pictures of his children and a song. The two allegedly made "vague" plans to go to New York City.
During redirect, the prosecution asked Ivey about divorce comments made by James Craig to her. Ivey said she did not tell James Craig to get a divorce. She was then excused from the witness stand.
Prosecutors continue their argument on Thursday morning.
