Susan Polk told a judge, 'I'm not going to beg for mercy,' and claimed she was a political prisoner before being sentenced to 16 years to life for fatally stabbing her husband. Her sons, only one of whom supports her, also spoke at the hearing.
PHOTO GALLERY
VIDEO CLIPS
KEY DOCUMENTS
Death Certificate
Multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma are listed as Felix Polk's official cause of death.- Suicide Files
Felix Polk's apparent suicide attempt while in the military was documented by the U.S. Navy. - Autopsy Report
Felix Polk's fatal injuries and toxicology results were detailed in this report. - Felix's Letter to Gabe
Just months before he was stabbed to death by his estranged wife, Felix Polk wrote this letter to his son Gabriel in an apparent effort to improve their relationship. - Felix Polk's Resume
This resume was retrieved by investigators from Felix Polk's desk after he was stabbed to death by his estranged wife, Susan Polk. - Properties Letter
Before she fatally stabbed her husband Felix, Susan Polk wrote this letter as the couple was going through a divorce to discuss financial matters and various properties the Polks owned - Ottoman Analysis
Investigators sought to recover from an ottoman residue of pepper spray, which Polk claimed she used on her husband. - Saab Report
Criminalists also analyzed Felix Polk's 1999 Saab, on which they found blood stains. - Diary Excerpt
Polk describes her self-proclaimed psychic abilities, her theories about the Middle East and her husband's alleged ties to the Mossad in this journal entry. - Letter to Dr. Cooper
These excerpts from Susan Polk's letters to her defense expert, Dr. John Cooper, include a narrative of the killing and a map. - Crime Scene Report
Forensic evidence gathered from the crime scene is itemized in this official report. - Incident Report
This 7-page report from the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Dept. details the night Felix Polk was killed. - Eli's Letter
The only child of three to support his mother, Eli Polk wrote this letter to Susan Polk behind bars. - Guardian's Letter
Dan Briner wrote this letter updating her about her son, Gabriel, while she was behind bars. - Cooper's Letter
Controversial defense witness Dr. John Cooper wrote this letter to the judge explaining why he would not return to conclude his testimony. - Son's Declaration
Eli Polk's divorce court declaration was full of praise for his mother, Susan Polk. - Secret Letter
In this two-page letter dated 2001, Susan Polk says her husband beat, drugged her. - Dispute Report
Police documented responding to a domestic dispute before Felix Polk was killed by his wife, Susan.
More Stories
VERDICT
- •June 16, 2006
Polk found guilty of second-degree murder - •Blog:
Deliberations play-by-play
CLOSINGS & DELIBERATIONS
- •June 13, 2006
At long last, the jury gets a say - •June 12, 2006
Prosecutor: Polk lied to you all along
DEFENSE'S CASE
- •June 8, 2006
After three tumultuous months, testimony ends - •June 7, 2006
Psychic detective called to stand - •June 6, 2006
Expert: Evidence indicates Susan Polk was not the aggressor - •June 5, 2006
Blood loss, psychic detectives mark week seven of Polk's defense - •June 2, 2006
Polk concludes testimony defending television laughter - •June 2, 2006
Polk accuses detectives of staging death scene - •June 2, 2006
'Gavel groupies' get Polk poolhouse tour - •June 1, 2006
Polk lashes out at prosecutor, former defense lawyer - •May 26, 2006
Polk: Getting 'a little scared' - •May 25, 2006
Polk creates stir during fifth day on stand - •May 24, 2006
Polk shows jurors series of knives - •May 23, 2006
Polk testifies about deadly struggle - •May 19, 2006
Polk's son: She's a 'very sick' woman - •May 18, 2006
Polk describes life of terror - •May 17, 2006
Polk calls herself to the stand - •May 16, 2006
Expert: Polk honest about self-defense - •May 15, 2006
Controversial expert returns to the stand - •May 12, 2006
Defendant isn't laughing, but some others are - •May 10, 2006
Polk moves three times for a mistrial based on judicial misconduct - •May 9, 2006
Polk accuses witness of brainwashing son - •May 8, 2006
Expert witness goes AWOL - •May 5, 2006
Missing letters prompt delay - •May 4, 2006
Cooper: Heart disease killed husband, not stabbing - •May 3, 2006
Polk's son tells of father's alleged abuse - •May 2, 2006
E-mails show Susan Polk's sons on opposite sides - •May 1, 2006
Polk's son reads devotional letter to mom - •April 28, 2006
Cross of Polk's son continues over objections - •April 27, 2006
Outbursts prompt judge to suspend son's testimony - •April 27, 2006
Son: Violence, accusations were part of dead father's history - •April 26, 2006
Susan Polk's son describes dad as abusive - •April 26, 2006
Surprise witness delivers dramatic testimony - •April 25, 2006
Son on tape: My mother would never kill my father - •April 25, 2006
Mother: 'Boo-Boo Susie' doesn't have rage to kill - •April 24, 2006
Polk starts case with dramatic opening - •March 30, 2006
Susan Polk fires her closest ally and defense aide
PROSECUTION'S CASE
- •April 21, 2006
Son: 'You're the embodiment of evil' - •March 29, 2006
Polk steers off-course in questioning detective - •March 28, 2006
Jurors watch interrogation of Polk on video - •March 27, 2006
Friend: Felix Polk feared wife would kill him - •March 24, 2006
Husband days before stabbing: 'I feel at risk' - •March 23, 2006
Another squabble, another juror dismissed - •March 22, 2006
Polk accuses police witness of manipulating husband 's corpse - •March 22, 2006
Four days into son's cross, killing barely discussed - •March 21, 2006
Polk's son: I'm happier with new 'parents' - •March 20, 2006
Polk incurs judge's wrath during son's cross - •March 16, 2006
Plagued by delays, trial postponed two days - •March 16, 2006
Defendant's son — and star witness — arrested - •March 14, 2006
Polk granted two-day trial delay - •March 13, 2006
Polk's questioning of son focuses on 'minutiae' - •March 9, 2006
Murder defendant takes a sick day - •March 8, 2006
Polk begins cross-examination of her own son
OPENINGS & JURY SELECTION
- • March 8, 2006
State: Polk weighed many methods of murder - • March 1, 2006
Representing herself, Polk selects jury of her peers
PRETRIAL
- • Jan. 13, 2006
Susan Polk asks judge to represent herself
THE FIRST TRIAL
Susan Polk first stood trial for murder in October 2005 with prominent defense lawyer Daniel Horowitz by her side. Just three days after opening statements, Horowitz discovered his wife's murdered body on property where the couple was building their dream home. A mistrial was declared in light of the circumstances. For her retrial, Polk opted not to hire another lawyer.
- • Oct. 17, 2005
Read about the mistrial - •Full coverage:
More on the Pamela Vitale case - • Oct. 12, 2005
Dispatcher testified about earlier 911 call - • Oct. 11, 2005
Tales of a battered woman, a cold-hearted killer
CASE IN BRIEF
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After her first trial was abruptly halted after her defense lawyer's wife was murdered, Susan Polk stands trial for murdering her psychologist husband, Felix, after she admittedly stabbed him on their $2 million estate. Polk opted to represent herself in her retrial.
BACKGROUND
MAPS
SPECIAL REPORTS
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•Psychics, spies, bunnies and lies
The quotable Susan Polk
BLOGS
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•The Jury Room
A play-by-play of deliberations
CHAT TRANSCRIPTS
Juror Kathy Sommese
Catherine Crier
Lisa Sweetingham
MESSAGE BOARDS
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