A California woman whose murder trial was halted when her defense lawyer's wife was found murdered told a judge Friday that she wants to fire her attorneys and defend herself instead.

Susan Polk, who claims she stabbed her abusive husband in self-defense in 2002, told Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Laurel Brady that her high-profile attorney, Daniel Horowitz, has been inattentive to her case since he found his wife's body upon returning home from work Oct. 19.

Polk charged that Horowitz was making himself available for media interviews but failed to file new pretrial motions and issue subpoenas in connection with her trial, which is set to start anew Jan. 31.

Horowitz said Friday afternoon that he had issued more than 40 subpoenas on Polk's behalf and was prepared to defend her to his fullest if Brady does not grant Polk's request.

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"One of her complaints was that I don't visit her enough," Horowitz said.

Although she did not raise it in court during a 90-minute hearing, Polk told several San Francisco Bay area media outlets that a conflict of interest may have arisen between her and Horowitz concerning the murder of his wife, Pamela Vitale.

Polk told reporters, according to published reports, that she believes Horowitz may have been involved in his wife's slaying. She believed things Horowitz said to her could be used to defend the teenaged neighbor charged with Vitale's murder.

Horowitz said a gag order imposed in connection with his wife's murder bars him from commenting on Polk's claim.

It is not the first time Polk has sought to represent herself. Before the start of her first trial, Polk fired her attorneys and planned her own defense. Horowitz and attorney Ivan Golde took over the defense in late summer and were in the process of attacking evidence that she intentionally killed Felix Polk when Vitale's murder forced a mistrial.

Brady reserved decision on Polk's request to discharge Horowitz and Golde until Jan. 20. Brady so far has not acted on Polk's request that Brady and every other judge in Contra Costa County be barred from presiding over the trial because of bias.

Polk is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Oct. 13, 2002, death of her 70-year-old husband in a cottage on the couple's $2 million estate in Orinda, Calif. She claims she stabbed the victim with a paring knife after he attacked her.