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.
MARTINEZ, Calif. — There's no reason to doubt murder defendant Susan Polk's claim that she stabbed her husband in self-defense, and also that she is a psychic, an expert witness told jurors Tuesday.
Retired forensic pathologist Dr. John Cooper testified that he compared Polk's letters describing the night in October 2002 when she stabbed Felix Polk to the autopsy report detailing Felix's injuries and concluded that Polk's account was "honest."
"I found it was an excellent fit," Cooper said. "My assessment is that she's a reliable eye witness."
The prosecutor, pacing in front of the lectern as he cross-examined the witness, asked Cooper if he was aware that Polk believes she is a medium.
"My understanding is that she's got considerable psychic ability and there's no reason to doubt that," Cooper said. "Maybe you don't believe in psychic ability."
"Really?" Assistant District attorney Paul Sequeira said. "So, you believe she's psychic?"
"I have no reason to doubt it," Cooper said.
Polk, 48, who is representing herself at her first-degree murder trial, told jurors in her opening statement that she predicted the attacks on the
"How about the fact that once or twice a week she accuses the court reporter of fabricating evidence?" Sequeira continued.
Cooper said he could understand why Polk worries about such things.
And what of her publicly implicating her former attorney Daniel Horowitz in his wife's murder, the prosecutor asked.
"I object! I never exactly said that," Polk said while giggling. "Although — I do think that maybe it's so."
Polk is expected to take the stand in her own defense Wednesday. She faces 25 years to life if convicted of her husband's murder.
Attack reenacted
Cooper testified that Felix's 27 stab and incise wounds, many of which were superficial cuts and scratches, were non-fatal.
The autopsy report indicating 75 percent blockage of two main arteries, Cooper said, supported Polk's claim in her letters that Felix appeared to have a heart attack during their altercation, fell back, hit his head and died.
Polk claims in her letters that she was on her back, her husband kneeling over her and attacking her, when she was able to snatch the paring knife from his grip.
Polk, rail-thin at about 5-foot-4 laid down on the floor in front of the jury box in her green prison pants and white T-shirt to reenact her position for the jury.
"If I were able to kick him in the groin and disarm him," Polk said during redirect examination Tuesday, "it would be consistent with the fact that I don't have stab wounds?"
Cooper agreed.
But prosecutors believe Polk had the knife all along. Polk is accused of murdering her husband after learning she was on the losing end of a costly and contentious divorce battle.
Sequeira projected a photo showing Felix's torso caked in dried, dark blood, and another picture of a red, meaty defensive wound on the base of the index finger of his right hand.
He compared them to photos of Polk that showed slight red discoloration around her right eye, and what appeared to Cooper to be bite marks on her hands.
"Somehow she got the knife away without sustaining one nick or cut on her whole body?" Sequeira asked.
"Yes," Cooper said.
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