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. — After seemingly endless testimony about Mossad agents, psychic powers, poisoned pets and expert opinions about whether California housewife Susan Polk was a victim of domestic violence or a delusional killer, the defense and the prosecution rested their cases Thursday.
Polk, 48, is representing herself against first-degree murder charges in the death of her therapist husband, 70-year-old Frank "Felix" Polk, who first treated Polk as a patient when she was 14, and married her when she was 25.
Polk claims she stabbed her husband in self-defense, and that he died from a heart attack during the altercation.
"I'd rather get the death penalty than manslaughter," Polk told the judge Thursday.
She is fighting to keep a lesser-included charge of manslaughter off the verdict form.
Closing arguments are expected to begin Monday.
Since testimony began March 8, jurors have listened to expert witnesses describe Felix's 27 stab and incise wounds and blunt force trauma to the head resulting from the Oct. 13, 2002, altercation.
Jurors have also seen Polk's own injuries sustained that night, including red discoloration around her eyes, bite marks on one hand and a red welt on her shoulder.
Battling experts testified that Felix died from heart failure because of his blocked arteries, and alternately that his weakened heart was simply a contributing factor in his death.
Polk's medical expert admitted that Felix would not have died had the struggle not occurred, but added that the injuries show Polk acted in self-defense.
An expert on intimate-partner battering told jurors that Polk fit the criteria of a victim of domestic violence.
Polk has been a formidable self-advocate in court. With an evidence code and legal books at her fingertips, she makes lengthy and forceful arguments, and has introduced more than 600 exhibits. She even successfully won her request to put a psychic on the stand, although to little evidentiary effect.
But Polk's behavior in court will be some of the strongest evidence the prosecutor will be able to point to when he makes his closing argument Monday.
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