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Mixed reviews for woman defending herself [Susan Polk]
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/12/6 | Henry K. Lee

Posted on 03/12/2006 7:56:26 AM PST by SmithL

As Susan Polk, who is defending herself against charges that she murdered her husband, cross-examined her son last week, it was clear she forgot the courtroom rule "Don't ask a question unless you already know the answer."

By doing so, Polk set herself up for a damaging blow by her son Gabriel Polk, who is convinced his mother is guilty.

"Isn't it true that you were not the big guy that you are now?" she asked, in what she probably thought was a mundane question about a schoolyard fight from years ago.

Gabriel Polk looked at his mother and replied, "Between the four years when you murdered my dad and now, yeah, I grew a lot."

The exchange highlighted the often surreal trial that opened last week in a Martinez courtroom packed with spectators, many of them curious to see how Polk will handle herself.

Prosecutors say Polk, 48, fatally stabbed her psychotherapist husband, Felix, at their Orinda home during a bitter divorce in October 2002. The defendant says she was an abused wife who killed in self-defense.

Polk, who has no legal training, is up against veteran prosecutor Paul Sequeira, best known for winning a conviction last year against a drunken nanny who ran down two Danville siblings.

She also has two sons testifying against her -- her cross-examination of Gabriel Polk continues Monday -- while a third son, Eli Polk, is expected to testify in her defense.

Eli Polk was arrested Thursday night at his Orinda home on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery for an incident involving his girlfriend, authorities said. He had been arrested for a similar incident in October.

Polk has been variously described as intelligent and delusional, and legal experts say she could be putting herself in jeopardy by acting pro per --

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: danielhorowitz; susanpolk

1 posted on 03/12/2006 7:56:29 AM PST by SmithL
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To: SmithL
"On the other hand, Cardoza said, Sequeira can't be too soft, lest he risk losing the case and being ribbed by fellow prosecutors who "giggle and laugh and say, 'Hey, you lost to a pro per.' " "

That is a huge problem with lawyers, They only care about winning the game.
They could care less about justice.
2 posted on 03/12/2006 8:11:32 AM PST by HuntsvilleTxVeteran (“Don't approach a Bull from the front, a Horse from the rear, or a Fool from any side.”)
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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran

Seems like the Polk men just can't keep their hands off their wimmen !


3 posted on 03/12/2006 8:33:41 AM PST by TheOracleAtLilac
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To: SmithL

This woman sounds like an idiot. She might be articulate, have a good memory, and have good pattern recognition, but she must have a MASSIVE ego to think she can handle this case herself. And that is not the mark of a smart person.


4 posted on 03/12/2006 9:01:28 AM PST by wizardoz
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To: TheOracleAtLilac

yea lets kill em..thatll teach em..


5 posted on 03/12/2006 11:12:17 AM PST by skaterboy
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To: skaterboy
Which ones ?
( )men folk
( )wimmen folk
( )both
6 posted on 03/12/2006 11:24:12 AM PST by TheOracleAtLilac
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