An Aurora dentist and father of six pleaded not guilty Monday in the poisoning death of his wife, Angela.

18th Judicial District Judge Shay Whitaker set the trial date for April 23 with guidance from attorneys that they would need two-to-three weeks for the proceedings. 

The trial will start with jury selection April 19 and could last until at least May 7. 

James Craig, 45, entered the courtroom with shackles on his feet, but without handcuffs and appeared to be in a jovial mood. He listened with little emotion as Shay and attorneys for both sides jockeyed their schedules to find a date which suited all parties. Craig’s attorney, Andrew Ho, wanted a continuance due to time constraints with separate cases he has scheduled, but prosecutors argued that Angela Craig’s siblings wanted to move forward.

“It’s already been too long,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Michael Mauro.

Ho is also defending Aurora Police Officer Nathan Woodyard in his trial facing charges of reckless manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the 2019 death of Aurora resident Elijah McClain.

The probable cause hearing revealed that Angela Craig had high levels of two chemicals, tetrahydrozoline and cyanide, in her body. Arapahoe County Coroner Kelly Lear, who performed the autopsy, testified that Craig had more than 400 times the amount of tetrahydrozoline in her body than a therapeutic dose. 

Tetrahydrozoline is the chemical found in Visine eyedrops. It’s the chemical, Lear explained which “gets the red out.” Judge Whitaker determined enough evidence existed after that hearing to send the case to trial.

Craig is accused of first-degree murder in the high-profile case which has received national media attention. 

Mrs. Craig died in last spring at University Hospital after multiple visits to emergency rooms complaining of everything from dizziness and vertigo to lightheadedness.

March 15, Mrs. Craig entered the ER, collapsed, was put on a ventilator and was pronounced brain dead that night. She was taken off life support March 18.

The affidavit reported that James Craig’s dental business was spiraling downward and he was starting up a relationship with a Texas orthodontist.