Dyleski roommates accuse deputies of trauma

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 4/12/6 | Henry K. Lee

[SmithL]

MARTINEZ -- A group of people who lived with Scott Dyleski filed a claim today against Contra Costa County, claiming sheriff's deputies traumatized them as authorities arrested the teen following the killing of television commentator Daniel Horowitz's wife.

The residents, including two couples and their five children, who lived with Dyleski in the Lafayette home also filed a complaint today with the sheriff's office, saying deputies threatened them at gunpoint during the Oct. 19 raid, used profanity and violated their rights.

Sheriff's deputies fanned through the house and, as they encountered occupants, ordered them to "get the f -- down" and "get the f -- down or we'll blow your head off," the claim said, adding investigators didn't have a search or arrest warrant at the time.

"Officer safety was never an issue," said the residents' attorney, Andrew Schwartz of Walnut Creek. "I have no explanation for their conduct. "There were very young children in the house who were severely traumatized by this, and the amount of force and amount of violence in this was excessive."

Jimmy Lee, sheriff's spokesman, declined to comment today on the claim.

Fred Curiel, who owns the home at 1050 Hunsaker Canyon Road, "had his face pushing against the floor by one of the officers, breaking his eyeglasses as he lay face down on the ground as instructed," the claim stated. Curiel and resident Mike Sikkema were handcuffed in front of their children, the claim said.

After five minutes in the house, deputies realized that Dyleski wasn't home. Authorities later arrested him at a friend's home in Walnut Creek.

[SmithL]

Dyleski is a suspect in the murder of Pamela Vitale,

who was married to attorney Daniel Horowitz,

who, at that time, was representing Susan Polk,

who is on trial for killing her husband,

and who has told the press, that Horowitz has admitted a role in the murder of Vitale.

All clear now?

[GSWarrior]

When authorities show up at your home looking for a murderer I don't think it's supposed to be a tender moment.

[JRandomFreeper]

Is there a web site where the program listing the participants is available? I can't keep track without a program and opera glasses.

This is more convoluted than most of my divorces... but then again, none of us left bodies lying around. mostly, so to speak.

/johnny

[Lurker]

I wouldn't mind if they had treated the actual suspect in this manner.

But a lot of cops just love saying 'I'll blow your f****** head off'. Especially when they can say it to someone who isn't armed and is complying with their instructions.

L

[Eagles6]

Polk told the press that Horowitz admitted a role in killing his wife?

[DuncanWaring]

Especially when they can say it to someone who isn't armed and is complying with their instructions.

Someone like Elio Carrion.

[isom35]

yikes I need a diagram for this one.

[SmithL]

Susan Polk to represent herself in trial
- Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, January 20, 2006

(1-20) 12:29 PST MARTINEZ -- An Orinda woman accused of killing her husband three years ago can represent herself at trial, a judge ruled today after removing her high-profile attorney from the case because of a conflict of interest.

Susan Polk, who had told Superior Court Judge Laurel Brady last week that she wanted to dump Daniel Horowitz, can indeed defend herself on charges that she killed her husband, Berkeley psychotherapist Felix Polk, the judge said.

. . .

In interviews this week, Polk said she believes Horowitz may have been involved in his wife's slaying and said statements the attorney made to her could be used to defend Dyleski.

Such statements are one reason Horowitz said he could no longer represent Polk, adding that she alone would be the best person to "present her story" regarding her relationship with her husband.

Brady agreed and cited another potential conflict -- many of the same investigators who handled the Vitale slaying had been involved in the Polk case. . . .

[Rte66]

I was actually working on a listing of all the players and extras, up until the time of the prelim hearing. Within a day or two, I totally lost interest in the entire case. The whole mystery to me was how Dyleski got up to the house and did the crime in the timeframe without being seen or heard--and more than that, *his* reasoning behind the murder. It didn't make any sense, on the face of it.

There was also some evidence I wanted to hear more about and a few other things that intrigued me, but once I heard the tiny tip of the iceberg of what the pros has to present at trial, I just didn't care anymore--and I had followed this hourly from the start.

I haven't paid attention to Polk's shenanigans at all. I was behind her and on her side long past the time she had convinced me I shouldn't be, but she is so "out there" I couldn't possibly support her innocence any more at all. I know she killed Felix and I know it was overkill, but I still felt it manslaughter if not self-defense, because of years and years of abuse that started in her teens. My feeling was that she really "doesn't know any better." Sincerely.

Any questions about the Dyleski-Vitale-Horowitz case "people" - that is something I can most likely answer.

[Rte66]

Polk *implied* as such and never followed through with what it was she was using as a basis for her statements. Pffft!