Posted on 08/11/2006 11:55:00 AM PDT by SmithL
MARTINEZ -- Susan Polk appeared in Contra Costa County Superior Court today and almost immediately began arguing with Judge Laurel Brady as they discussed who would legally represent the Orinda housewife before she is sentenced for killing her husband.
Today, Brady said Point Richmond attorney Charles Hoehn, who had tentatively agreed to represent Polk in July for pre-sentencing purposes, had stepped down. Hoehn has said he couldn't effectively represent her without the trial transcript -- Brady declined his request for the voluminous record -- and also cited scheduling concerns. Further complicating the issue, Brady said that the Contra Costa County Bar Association's Conflict Panel, which assigns attorneys for defendants, had come up empty with any lawyer willing to step in as Polk's attorney.
All 19 attorneys with experience in homicide cases declined to represent Polk, said they had conflicts of interest or were simply unavailable, Brady said, citing information from panel director David Briggs.
The panel then contacted Vallejo attorney Dan Russo, who appeared in court today and asked that the case be delayed until Tuesday to give him time to talk to Polk.
It was like old times in the courtroom as Brady upbraided Polk for interrupting her, much like she had throughout her three-month trial.
"No, no, no, we're not going to do this," the judge said, her exasperation evident. "Ms. Polk, Ms. Polk, stop talking. Please stop and let me finish."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
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A judge this morning postponed the sentencing of murderer Susan Polk until Tuesday, at the earliest, to give her time to confer with an attorney who might represent her.
A jury convicted Polk in June of second degree murder in the 2002 stabbing death of her husband, Felix, at the couple's Orinda home.
Polk had been acting as her own attorney and testified that she killed her husband in self defense. She faces 16 years to life in prison and has asked for an attorney to represent her during the trial's sentencing phase.
The latest attorney to consider defending her, Dan Russo, told Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Laurel Brady today that he first wanted to talk with Polk and the court's presiding judge.
In response, Brady postponed Polk's sentencing and ordered her to return to court Tuesday morning.
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