Court TV Host: Catherine Crier is here!

Court TV Host: Send in your questions about the Polk case...

Catherine Crier: Hey, everybody!

Question from Dr: How come Ms. Polk is defending herself now?

Catherine Crier: Susan has gone through three sets of attorneys and is convinced only she can tell the story as it needs to be told. She is very intelligent and believes she has learned the necessary skills to present the case so she's on her way.

Question from Kelly525: Hi, Catherine. Besides her son Eli, who do you expect to testify for Susan Polk's defense?

Catherine Crier: For the defense? Her son Gabriel, the youngest of the three boys will be the primary witness for the prosecution. He will testify that Susan planned to kill Felix. In addition to Eli for the defense, Susan has a medical examiner who will testified that Felix died of a heart condition, not the stab wounds. Unfortunately, even though the jury might buy this, causation issues would still give her problems. She also has a battered women's expert to talk about the spousal relationships and her personal state of fear at the time of Felix's death.

Question from Dr: Do you think she can do an adequate job of it, Judge Crier?

Catherine Crier: I would never represent myself in any criminal case. And I was a judge. I spoke to Susan and strongly recommended she retain an attorney.

Question from Cortaid: Does representing herself give her a good avenue for a later appeal, if needed?

Catherine Crier: It's pretty hard to claim ineffective assistance of counsel, when you're talking about yourself. In a strange way, it cuts off that particular avenue of appeal.

Question from Cosmo: How does she seem ? Crazy or confident?

Catherine Crier: I've interviewed Susan three times now. Without question, she is very intelligent. But the longer you let her go, the more she is liable to wander off course in her conversation. She is adamant that she is not presenting a battered woman's defense - or any sort of mental incapacity, so it will be interesting to see if the jury divines any psychological problems if she talks long enough in court.

Question from njsuz: I am amazed the judge didn't insist on legal help.

Catherine Crier: In this country, if you are competent you have an absolute right to represent yourself. What I was hoping was that Susan would request or that the judge would insist on an attorney sitting in "second chair" to provide legal assistance as needed. That did not happen, so she is on her own.

Question from lorene: What did you think of Susan Polk's claim that Dan Horowitz had something to do with his wife's death, allegedly based on some things he told her?

Catherine Crier: I'm not sure where all of that came from. She told me in an interview about the same remarks she alleges Dan made. I don't know whether her belief has more to do with the legitimacy of the claim or her frustration with Dan's possible inattention to her case after his own wife's murder.

Question from njsuz: Will Horowitz show up?

Catherine Crier: I would be surprised if Dan showed up. He has been discharged from the case and has no reason to attend other than personal interest, and he certainly cannot comment on the trial because of attorney-client privilege. I would expect it might also be somewhat painful for him, given his own connection to the case.

Question from DAWN: Question: Eli seems like he will be a very strong defense witness. Do you agree?

Catherine Crier: I think Eli will be a very effective witness for the defense. He believes passionately in his mother's innocence, believes strongly in his father's aggression and intimidation over the years, and will deliver his testimony with a quiet strength that may impress jurors.

Question from DAWN: Welcome Catherine ... my question is why would Susan Polk plan to kill Felix with a tiny paring knife? That makes no sense.

Catherine Crier: That is a very good defense position. Why would a very tiny woman oppose a man four inches taller and fifty pounds heavier in very good shape with just a paring knife?

Question from LUCKY: Don't you think that a battered women's defense may actually Be in her best interest?

Catherine Crier: If I was pursuing this case, I would utilize battered woman's defense, but Susan's own "intellect" is such that she sees it as a demeaning position. Because she certainly would have had the intelligence to get out of the way of a batterer, her own IQ would be a detriment to her position.

Question from Bubblegum: Hi Catherine, love your show... Felix Polk was hospitalized for schizophrenia and psychotic behavior years ago -- could that help to be part of a real convincing case for Susan?

Catherine Crier: I am surprised that the judge has already ruled the old Navy records admissible. Susan will attempt to bootstrap that event on to her longstanding relationship with Felix. She will attempt to show that his behavior over their many years together was evidence of an ongoing schizophrenic condition. If the jury is convinced, this may be very effective.

Question from skunkpie: Are there other family members or in-laws standing behind her?

Catherine Crier: Obviously her mother is very supportive of Susan as is the middle child Eli. However, Gabriel and Adam, her two other children, and members of Felix's family, are opposed.

Question from DAWN: Is Susan up-to- speed on cross-examining the state's witnesses -- especially the medical examiners?

Catherine Crier: I wish I had the answer to that question. When I have spoken to Susan, she has said she's done her homework. I don't necessarily believe everyone has to go to law school and engage in countless trials to become an effective trial lawyer, but it certainly would help.

Question from DAWN: Was Susan ever offered a plea deal?

Catherine Crier: Not as far as I know.

Question from SLH: What is her educational background?

Catherine Crier: Susan went to college. And as I said, has been tested with an IQ exceeding 150. She has never practiced a profession outside the home, but there's no question that she's a very intelligent woman.

Question from njsuz: How long will you be in Martinez?

Question from kipswife: How long are you going to be at the trial?

Question from uma: Will we see the trial on Court TV?

Catherine Crier: I wish there were cameras in the courtroom, but sadly there are not. I am here throughout this week, and hopefully will be back for other portions of the trial, at least the final arguments. We will have other people here giving us reports throughout the trial.

Court TV Host: Thank you, and we hope you'll come back again soon.

Catherine Crier: Thank you. It was a pleasure.