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[female narrator]
they were living a dream
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In northern california.
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She was very much in love.
They had three young sons.
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[paul] they lived in this
beautiful home with a pool hous
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In a high-rent zip code.
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[narrator] one evening,
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Stunning violence
shatters the façade.
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He's lying in
a pretty big pool of blood.
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There's blood everywhere.
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[narrator] amid rumors
and speculation,
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Investigators uncover
a simmering rage.
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She was trying to
keep her family intact.
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And that's why she stayed.
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At that point,
it became a media circus.
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[narrator] and
prosecutors face off
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Against a determined foe.
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She actually tested in the
99 percentile of an iq test.
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She was a genius.
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[paul] I've tried
a lot of cases.
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This is obviously
the most bizarre.
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Am I going to just go
down without a fight?
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No.
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[theme music]
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[music]
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[narrator] twenty minutes
from downtown san francisco
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Lies the bedroom community
of orinda, california.
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Wealthy, luxurious, and rich
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Are probably perfect
descriptions.
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They're the black
tie formal people.
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It's probably one
of the most, uh,
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Wealthiest communities
in contra costa county.
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[narrator] a little
after 9:00 pm
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On October 14, 2002,
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Contra costa dispatch
gets an unusual call.
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[narrator] the caller
identifies himself as gabe polk
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And his father as
70-year-old felix polk.
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[kenneth] dispatch called me.
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They told me that
they were dealing with
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A, uh, possible homicide.
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The person reporting
the incident was the son.
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Said that his dad appeared
to be dead in the pool house.
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[dr. Jordan]
he said to the 911 operator
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That he went outside
and hid behind some garbage cans
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And called 911.
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He believed that his
mom was responsible,
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And she was inside the house.
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[sirens wailing]
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[narrator] first
responders arrive
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At the sprawling home
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And find gabe lurking outside.
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[paul] gabe kind of stumbled
out from the garbage cans.
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The first responders
didn't really know
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What they were coming into.
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They were alarmed at
first when he jumped out.
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He didn't display any, uh,
great emotions when I arrived.
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He seemed fairly calm.
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He said he saw his
dad in the pool house.
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There was a lot of blood.
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Thinks his mom shot him.
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[narrator] an officer remains
with gabe in the driveway.
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As you step off the stairway,
the house is to the left.
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The pool house is to the right.
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[narrator] deputy
hansen spots someone
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Inside the main residence.
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[kenneth] I could look
to my left and see
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A woman through
the glass windows.
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And so I'm--made the
assumption that must be
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The, the mom, the wife.
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I motion for her to come.
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And I go, "I'm with
the sheriff's office.
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We're here to do a
welfare check on your husband."
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I had her step out.
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I did have my sidearm out.
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When she came to
the door and I realized
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She didn't pose
an immediate threat,
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I immediately
holstered my weapon.
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So now I've given
ms. Polk to deputy kelly
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And told him to watch her.
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[narrator] deputy
hansen cautiously
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Enters the pool house.
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[paul] felix is lying
in the main living area
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Of the pool house.
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He's flat on his back.
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He's got his underwear on,
but no shirt on.
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He's lying in a
pretty big pool of blood.
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There's blood everywhere.
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[kenneth] he was very pale
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'cause the blood had drained
from his facial area.
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He was dead.
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It looked like he had
multiple injuries on his body
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From the way the
blood was on him.
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It was a very violent
situation that occurred.
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And they have very
few violent crimes
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That occur for
a town of that size.
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[music]
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[robert] this area
was very, very safe.
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And so this news was...
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It hit me off guard.
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My wife called me and she said,
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"felix polk was just
found dead in orinda."
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I was shocked.
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But I'm just trying to process
the news I just heard.
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[narrator] born to a prominent
jewish family in austria
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On June 30, 1932,
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Felix polk and
his family survived
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One of the most dangerous
eras in european history.
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[paul] felix was born
in vienna, escaped vienna,
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Went to France, uh,
upon the nazi occupation.
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And then they--ultimately, his
family immigrated to new york,
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Where he began his education.
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[narrator] after college,
felix enlisted in the navy.
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But his service was interrupted
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[paul] when felix
was in the military,
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He was having depression issues
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So he actually went
to a psychotherapist.
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[narrator]
the treatment helped felix
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And inspired a career path.
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[paul] he came out to berkeley
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And got his phd
in the early '70s
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And started a practice
in psychology.
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Everybody apparently
looked up to him in his field.
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Dr. Polk was an attractive
young man at the time.
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[paul] he was married and he had
two children, a boy and a girl.
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They had some issues,
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And that marriage
ended in divorce.
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[music]
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[narrator] following
the divorce,
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Felix reconnected with an
old friend, susan bolling.
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[dr. Jordan] susan was a woman
who had once been his patient.
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And felix polk often
befriended his patients.
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Susan kind of
re-enters his life.
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Their romance really burgeons,
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Even though the 25-year
age difference.
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[narrator] born in 1957,
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Susan was a native
of northern california.
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[dr. Jordan] susan grew up
with an older brother.
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And her parents divorced when
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She was about five
or six years old.
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[narrator] the divorce
left susan feeling lost.
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As she grew into a teenager,
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She took refuge
in her schoolwork.
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[dr. Jordan]
around 14 years old,
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She actually tested in the
99 percentile of an iq test,
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Basically rendering
her a genius.
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Susan was really smart,
but that also meant
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That she didn't necessarily
fit in with other people.
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And so that's when her mother
sought therapy for her.
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[narrator] after several
years in therapy,
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As a young adult, susan
seemed to be back on track.
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Susan polk graduated from
san francisco state university
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With a degree in english
and creative writing.
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[narrator] when she started a
relationship with felix polk,
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Susan not only found a lover,
but an intellectual equal.
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She was, you know, very
much in love with felix,
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And felix was in love with her.
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They seemed to genuinely
care about one another.
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[narrator] after
several years of dating,
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In December 1981,
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They settled down
and tied the knot.
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[paul] susan and felix
lived in this beautiful home,
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With a pool house,
in a high-rent zip code.
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He had a good business
and made good money.
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[roger] they had
three young sons.
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Adam was the oldest.
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Then it was eli,
and then gabriel.
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[dr. Jordan] she was
raising her children,
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Taking care of the books
for felix's practice,
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Managing their,
their financial accounts,
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00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:43,088
Their real estate,
their rental properties.
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[narrator] but by 2002,
after almost 20 years together,
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Their two oldest sons
had moved away from home,
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And the couple began to
question their future.
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The marriage had deteriorated.
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There were arguments and fights
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She was gonna file for divorce.
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This had been building up.
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00:09:05,379 --> 00:09:06,811
In early October 2002,
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00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:08,413
She had gone on
a trip to montana
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To find a new place to live,
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Which felix knew about.
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He claimed that she had
abandoned him and gabe.
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The sons would try very hard
to maintain their neutrality.
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00:09:19,159 --> 00:09:22,093
But there was obviously
a lot of tension.
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[narrator] as they hammered out
the details of the divorce,
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Susan and felix settled on a
temporary living arrangement.
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She would take the
main house with gabe
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And felix would
take the pool house.
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[roger] they seemed to have
mutual respect for one another.
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Make sure that,
you know, they were...
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Getting everything they needed.
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[narrator] sadly, their
agreement does not last long,
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As the polk marriage
ends in October 2002,
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00:09:56,730 --> 00:09:59,430
When their youngest
son, gabe, calls 911
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00:09:59,432 --> 00:10:02,834
And tells police his
mother shot his father.
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00:10:04,871 --> 00:10:07,438
[kenneth] I went up to
ms. Polk, and I says,
196
00:10:07,507 --> 00:10:09,273
"it's my responsibility
to tell you
197
00:10:09,275 --> 00:10:13,311
"that mr. Polk,
your husband, is dead,
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00:10:13,380 --> 00:10:15,013
And not by natural means."
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00:10:16,382 --> 00:10:18,683
[paul] when she gets notified
that her husband is dead,
200
00:10:18,752 --> 00:10:22,354
There's not crying or
screaming or questions.
201
00:10:23,423 --> 00:10:26,724
Being detached, uncaring--
that's not unusual.
202
00:10:26,793 --> 00:10:29,927
It sort of goes kind of
to one extreme or the other.
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00:10:29,996 --> 00:10:32,096
The people who are
extremely emotional
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00:10:32,165 --> 00:10:34,733
And then the people
who are shut down.
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00:10:39,005 --> 00:10:41,573
[narrator] deputies transport
mother and son separately
206
00:10:41,641 --> 00:10:43,708
For questioning.
207
00:10:44,978 --> 00:10:47,912
When detectives take
a look at felix's body,
208
00:10:47,981 --> 00:10:51,583
Gabe's claim about his
mother comes into question.
209
00:10:52,452 --> 00:10:54,486
Gabe's initial call,
210
00:10:54,554 --> 00:10:56,654
He thought his father
had been shot.
211
00:10:56,722 --> 00:10:58,522
But the investigators
weren't sure.
212
00:10:58,524 --> 00:11:02,360
The detectives didn't think
it was a gunshot wound.
213
00:11:02,428 --> 00:11:04,862
They did a cursory search,
214
00:11:04,931 --> 00:11:08,066
And there was no
obvious murder weapon.
215
00:11:08,134 --> 00:11:09,934
[narrator] investigators
have to consider
216
00:11:10,003 --> 00:11:11,969
Whether gabe is
intentionally throwing
217
00:11:12,038 --> 00:11:14,438
The investigation off track.
218
00:11:15,275 --> 00:11:17,809
[paul] the first responders
didn't really know
219
00:11:17,877 --> 00:11:19,543
What they were coming into.
220
00:11:19,545 --> 00:11:21,179
They didn't know
if he was part of it
221
00:11:21,247 --> 00:11:23,181
Or if he had done
something to his father.
222
00:11:26,453 --> 00:11:30,622
[narrator] coming up, a
family's secrets are exposed.
223
00:11:34,327 --> 00:11:35,893
[narrator] and
investigators examine
224
00:11:35,895 --> 00:11:39,764
A slew of strange accusations.
225
00:11:39,833 --> 00:11:41,899
She said he was a mossad agent.
226
00:11:41,968 --> 00:11:44,202
That he had prior knowledge
of the 9/11 attack.
227
00:11:47,807 --> 00:11:51,810
[theme music]
228
00:12:00,353 --> 00:12:01,553
[narrator] around 9:00 pm
229
00:12:01,621 --> 00:12:04,588
On October 14, 2002,
230
00:12:04,590 --> 00:12:07,525
15-year-old gabe polk
discovered the body
231
00:12:07,593 --> 00:12:09,427
Of his father, felix,
232
00:12:09,495 --> 00:12:13,097
In the pool house
of their lavish home.
233
00:12:13,166 --> 00:12:15,933
Contra costa investigators
begin to question
234
00:12:16,002 --> 00:12:18,069
The young man's story.
235
00:12:19,539 --> 00:12:21,272
[paul] gabe found felix
lying in the middle of
236
00:12:21,341 --> 00:12:24,576
The living area
of the pool house.
237
00:12:24,644 --> 00:12:29,113
Gabe's first impression to 911
that his father had been shot.
238
00:12:29,182 --> 00:12:33,084
Gabe thought his
mother was the killer.
239
00:12:33,152 --> 00:12:36,454
But at the scene,
the detectives...
240
00:12:36,523 --> 00:12:39,290
Discerned that right away
that it wasn't a gunshot.
241
00:12:39,359 --> 00:12:44,462
[music]
242
00:12:44,530 --> 00:12:47,064
[kenneth] I've seen
gunshot wounds, and, um,
243
00:12:47,133 --> 00:12:49,501
You can tell there's
usually an entry wound.
244
00:12:49,569 --> 00:12:52,604
But it looked like
there was multiple injuries.
245
00:12:52,672 --> 00:12:54,038
[narrator]
investigators question
246
00:12:54,107 --> 00:12:56,775
If other aspects of
gabe's initial story
247
00:12:56,843 --> 00:12:59,110
Could also be false.
248
00:12:59,179 --> 00:13:01,979
You have to really wait for
the autopsy to be conducted
249
00:13:02,048 --> 00:13:03,882
To really know what killed him.
250
00:13:04,784 --> 00:13:08,753
[music]
251
00:13:08,821 --> 00:13:10,087
[narrator]
gabe and his mother, susan,
252
00:13:10,156 --> 00:13:11,822
Are taken to the station,
253
00:13:11,824 --> 00:13:15,426
While investigators continue
to survey the crime scene.
254
00:13:17,263 --> 00:13:18,696
[paul] there was
no forced entry.
255
00:13:18,765 --> 00:13:21,999
And so whoever got
in there was allowed
256
00:13:22,068 --> 00:13:24,568
To come into the pool house.
257
00:13:24,570 --> 00:13:29,106
There wasn't a lot of furniture
knocked over or things broken.
258
00:13:29,175 --> 00:13:30,808
What it did look like was
259
00:13:30,877 --> 00:13:33,277
He was in bed and
had gotten out of bed.
260
00:13:34,380 --> 00:13:36,947
[narrator] when investigators
examine the blood evidence,
261
00:13:37,017 --> 00:13:39,217
They gain new insight.
262
00:13:40,753 --> 00:13:42,487
[kenneth] the blood,
it wasn't pooling.
263
00:13:42,555 --> 00:13:44,355
It was flat and dried.
264
00:13:44,424 --> 00:13:48,859
So my assumption is that
he'd been dead for a while.
265
00:13:48,929 --> 00:13:52,330
[music]
266
00:13:52,398 --> 00:13:55,033
[michael] that's when we
notified coroner's office
267
00:13:55,035 --> 00:13:56,834
The body's ready to be moved.
268
00:13:56,903 --> 00:13:58,502
I responded back to my office,
269
00:13:58,504 --> 00:14:00,004
And then that's when
I started interviewing.
270
00:14:01,041 --> 00:14:02,740
[narrator] considering
all scenarios,
271
00:14:02,809 --> 00:14:06,377
Investigators begin with gabe.
272
00:14:06,379 --> 00:14:08,246
[paul] he's saying,
"mom killed my dad."
273
00:14:08,314 --> 00:14:11,182
They at least
have in their mind,
274
00:14:11,250 --> 00:14:13,751
Well, he's here,
he discovered the body.
275
00:14:13,819 --> 00:14:16,120
We at least have
to look into him
276
00:14:16,122 --> 00:14:17,988
And make sure
he's not a suspect.
277
00:14:19,192 --> 00:14:21,125
[narrator] they ask gabe to
walk them through the events
278
00:14:21,194 --> 00:14:24,829
That led up to his
911 call that evening.
279
00:14:26,799 --> 00:14:28,399
[paul] gabe and his father
were supposed to go to
280
00:14:28,468 --> 00:14:31,169
A baseball game
in the afternoon.
281
00:14:31,237 --> 00:14:32,937
It was something
that was planned ahead of time,
282
00:14:32,939 --> 00:14:34,638
And his dad didn't show up.
283
00:14:34,707 --> 00:14:36,307
He's waiting for dad
to come home from work
284
00:14:36,376 --> 00:14:38,509
Because the car's not there.
285
00:14:38,578 --> 00:14:42,513
Dad's a pretty reliable guy,
so he thought it was strange.
286
00:14:42,582 --> 00:14:45,015
Gabe tells the detectives
that he'd asked his mother
287
00:14:45,085 --> 00:14:47,418
Where was his
father, and she said,
288
00:14:47,487 --> 00:14:48,920
"I have no idea."
289
00:14:50,290 --> 00:14:52,823
[narrator] gabe's father
still hadn't returned home.
290
00:14:52,892 --> 00:14:54,892
So around 9:00 pm,
291
00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:57,195
Gabe decided to
check the pool house.
292
00:14:58,264 --> 00:14:59,831
[paul] it was dark
at this point.
293
00:14:59,899 --> 00:15:01,432
And he--you know, the--
294
00:15:01,501 --> 00:15:03,334
Obviously had been stood up
for the game.
295
00:15:03,403 --> 00:15:06,103
Uh, so he was--
finally got curious,
296
00:15:06,172 --> 00:15:08,206
And he went down to the
pool house to look for him.
297
00:15:09,775 --> 00:15:11,442
[dr. Jordan] when he entered,
298
00:15:11,511 --> 00:15:16,113
His father lay on the ground
so covered in his blood,
299
00:15:16,182 --> 00:15:19,517
That gabriel was convinced
that his mother had shot him
300
00:15:19,585 --> 00:15:22,086
With a shotgun.
301
00:15:22,154 --> 00:15:24,622
So gabriel went outside
and he called 911.
302
00:15:26,892 --> 00:15:28,492
[narrator]
investigators ask gabe
303
00:15:28,561 --> 00:15:32,130
Why he believes his mother
would hurt his father.
304
00:15:50,083 --> 00:15:51,815
[paul] his father had told gabe
305
00:15:51,817 --> 00:15:55,352
That she had threatened
to kill him with a shotgun
306
00:15:55,421 --> 00:15:58,222
Because of their
contentious relationship.
307
00:15:58,224 --> 00:16:01,358
Gabe was not equivocating
or ambiguous.
308
00:16:01,427 --> 00:16:04,295
He was very direct
about what he saw,
309
00:16:04,363 --> 00:16:05,529
What the background was,
310
00:16:05,598 --> 00:16:07,598
And his opinion of
who the killer was.
311
00:16:09,435 --> 00:16:12,536
Gabe talked about how the
marriage had deteriorated.
312
00:16:12,605 --> 00:16:14,271
His mother was saying
increasingly
313
00:16:14,340 --> 00:16:17,241
Delusional things
about his father.
314
00:16:17,243 --> 00:16:18,976
[michael] susan polk
was making comments
315
00:16:19,045 --> 00:16:21,178
That her husband
was a mossad agent,
316
00:16:21,247 --> 00:16:23,314
Which is the israeli
secret police.
317
00:16:23,382 --> 00:16:26,584
Uh, that he had prior
knowledge of the 9/11 attack.
318
00:16:26,652 --> 00:16:29,954
He, uh, had tried to poison
her dogs at one point.
319
00:16:43,469 --> 00:16:45,269
[paul] gabe kept coming
to the conclusion
320
00:16:45,271 --> 00:16:46,337
That his mother must've done it
321
00:16:46,406 --> 00:16:48,272
Because she'd
threatened him before.
322
00:16:48,274 --> 00:16:51,542
And there was this
contentious divorce.
323
00:16:51,611 --> 00:16:52,710
But the investigators
weren't sure.
324
00:16:55,148 --> 00:16:56,948
[narrator] authorities
step out of the room,
325
00:16:57,016 --> 00:17:00,151
But the camera
is still recording.
326
00:17:00,219 --> 00:17:03,053
They watch as gabe calls
his older brother, adam,
327
00:17:03,055 --> 00:17:05,656
Who is away at school at ucla.
328
00:17:13,533 --> 00:17:15,366
[narrator] investigators
step back in
329
00:17:15,434 --> 00:17:18,769
And join gabe's call
with his brother.
330
00:17:18,838 --> 00:17:21,705
Gabe's claims about his
mother gain credibility
331
00:17:21,707 --> 00:17:24,542
When adam tells them
similar stories.
332
00:17:26,312 --> 00:17:27,645
[paul] they didn't
trust her mental state.
333
00:17:27,713 --> 00:17:28,980
In layman's terms,
they kinda thought
334
00:17:29,048 --> 00:17:31,515
She was being
crazy all the time.
335
00:17:31,517 --> 00:17:33,051
[dr. Jordan]
the dysfunction was so deep,
336
00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:35,953
With people being pulled
from one side to the other,
337
00:17:36,021 --> 00:17:38,089
Trying to be allied.
338
00:17:38,157 --> 00:17:40,324
The children not wanting
to lose either parent.
339
00:17:41,427 --> 00:17:43,794
[paul] gabe and adam
told a credible story.
340
00:17:43,863 --> 00:17:47,464
To lead investigators,
gabe was very direct
341
00:17:47,533 --> 00:17:50,168
About the backgrounds
and what his opinion was
342
00:17:50,236 --> 00:17:52,136
Of who the killer was.
343
00:17:54,707 --> 00:17:58,776
[narrator] investigators end
the interview and release gabe.
344
00:17:58,778 --> 00:18:02,647
Next, they take the
boy's accusations to susan.
345
00:18:22,501 --> 00:18:24,268
[michael] she seemed very aloof,
346
00:18:24,337 --> 00:18:26,504
Didn't seem too shook up
that her husband was dead.
347
00:18:42,288 --> 00:18:43,787
She claims she didn't
know anything about,
348
00:18:43,856 --> 00:18:46,557
About him being dead
out there or why or how.
349
00:18:51,931 --> 00:18:53,897
Her husband's dead at the house,
350
00:18:53,899 --> 00:18:55,866
And here she is, just
sitting there, kind of calm
351
00:18:55,935 --> 00:18:58,269
And kind of not caring.
352
00:18:58,337 --> 00:18:59,504
It got my attention.
353
00:19:01,807 --> 00:19:03,274
[narrator] coming up,
354
00:19:03,342 --> 00:19:06,010
A threat from the past
could lead investigators
355
00:19:06,078 --> 00:19:07,411
To the killer.
356
00:19:10,750 --> 00:19:13,551
She actually brought a knife
to one of the therapy sessions.
357
00:19:17,857 --> 00:19:21,792
[theme music]
358
00:19:31,103 --> 00:19:33,304
[narrator] after
felix polk is found dead
359
00:19:33,372 --> 00:19:35,906
In his lavish california estate
360
00:19:35,975 --> 00:19:39,376
Susan polk, his wife
of nearly 20 years,
361
00:19:39,445 --> 00:19:42,380
Is quick to deny
any involvement.
362
00:20:04,536 --> 00:20:08,139
[narrator] investigators ask
who else could be responsible.
363
00:20:19,919 --> 00:20:22,420
[narrator] they leave
no stone unturned.
364
00:20:29,662 --> 00:20:31,562
[narrator] susan
suggests investigators
365
00:20:31,630 --> 00:20:35,199
Look to her husband's
professional life for answers.
366
00:20:51,617 --> 00:20:52,616
[dr. Jordan]
susan told him felix
367
00:20:52,685 --> 00:20:55,686
Had been threatened by
his patients in his past.
368
00:20:55,755 --> 00:20:58,556
In fact, she said he
had some female patient
369
00:20:58,624 --> 00:21:01,692
Who actually brought a knife
to one of the therapy sessions.
370
00:21:05,998 --> 00:21:08,666
[narrator] investigators
make note of susan's claims,
371
00:21:08,734 --> 00:21:11,168
And as they continue
to press her,
372
00:21:11,170 --> 00:21:13,604
Susan grows visibly impatient.
373
00:21:23,483 --> 00:21:24,715
[michael] I'll never
forget this one.
374
00:21:24,784 --> 00:21:27,651
"you're the detective.
You figure it out."
375
00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:30,788
And that just kind of
blew me--blew my mind.
376
00:21:30,856 --> 00:21:32,723
I'm thinkin', whoa, okay!
377
00:21:34,127 --> 00:21:37,494
[narrator] detectives believe
that susan is holding back.
378
00:21:37,563 --> 00:21:41,298
They quickly call her bluff.
379
00:21:41,367 --> 00:21:42,433
I would ask her things like,
380
00:21:42,501 --> 00:21:45,736
"well, if this is a self-defense
issue, we need to know."
381
00:21:46,839 --> 00:21:49,640
It's a technique that
you can get the person
382
00:21:49,708 --> 00:21:51,742
To at least admit
to being there.
383
00:21:51,811 --> 00:21:54,679
And then from there, you
take it on to their involvement.
384
00:21:59,118 --> 00:22:00,384
[michael] she kept denying.
385
00:22:00,453 --> 00:22:02,152
Based on the coldness
and aloofness
386
00:22:02,221 --> 00:22:03,887
Of her during the interview.
387
00:22:03,956 --> 00:22:05,823
And all this information
was coming out,
388
00:22:05,891 --> 00:22:08,592
I think through gabriel,
I was very convinced
389
00:22:08,660 --> 00:22:11,028
That she was involved in this.
390
00:22:11,096 --> 00:22:14,065
And I says, "well, I think
I have figured it out."
391
00:22:14,133 --> 00:22:16,133
And I said, "I'm gonna
have to place you under arrest
392
00:22:16,201 --> 00:22:19,470
For the homicide
of your husband."
393
00:22:19,538 --> 00:22:21,772
She was then transported
to the jail for booking.
394
00:22:26,578 --> 00:22:29,479
[narrator] the next day,
the autopsy report comes in,
395
00:22:29,549 --> 00:22:32,749
Verifying felix
died nearly 22 hours
396
00:22:32,818 --> 00:22:35,252
Before his body was found.
397
00:22:36,555 --> 00:22:38,089
[michael] as far as
the autopsy report,
398
00:22:38,157 --> 00:22:39,823
A lot of stab wounds.
399
00:22:39,825 --> 00:22:42,960
That's was cause of death--
multiple stab wounds.
400
00:22:44,830 --> 00:22:49,200
Felix had five
mortal wounds to his torso
401
00:22:49,268 --> 00:22:54,538
And more than 20 wounds
and small nicks over his body.
402
00:22:54,607 --> 00:22:56,974
[narrator] the stab wounds
weren't the only injuries
403
00:22:57,042 --> 00:22:59,643
Inflicted upon felix.
404
00:22:59,712 --> 00:23:01,845
He had something in
the back of his head
405
00:23:01,914 --> 00:23:05,782
That looked like he'd been
hit with some blunt object.
406
00:23:05,851 --> 00:23:10,754
Felix most likely was
hit on the back of the head,
407
00:23:10,822 --> 00:23:14,257
And the blunt force trauma
rendered him semi-unconscious.
408
00:23:14,327 --> 00:23:16,593
Then all the
stab wounds were inflicted
409
00:23:16,662 --> 00:23:18,095
When he went to the floor.
410
00:23:20,866 --> 00:23:23,734
[narrator] the autopsy
yields another surprise
411
00:23:23,802 --> 00:23:27,471
And potentially explosive
piece of evidence.
412
00:23:29,675 --> 00:23:31,275
When they're
processing the body,
413
00:23:31,343 --> 00:23:34,111
They found some
hair in his hands.
414
00:23:34,179 --> 00:23:37,681
The clump of hair that was foun
in felix's hand is significant
415
00:23:37,683 --> 00:23:40,383
Because that was one of probably
the few things he could do
416
00:23:40,453 --> 00:23:43,187
Before he was killed was...
417
00:23:43,255 --> 00:23:44,788
Last-ditch effort,
418
00:23:44,857 --> 00:23:48,893
Grab the hair of his assailant
to try to defend himself.
419
00:23:48,961 --> 00:23:52,930
We can do a dna analysis
and find out whose hair it was.
420
00:23:52,998 --> 00:23:55,332
They ran it through
pretty quick.
421
00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:58,169
Hair is great dna
because of the roots,
422
00:23:58,237 --> 00:23:59,470
Because if roots
are still on it,
423
00:23:59,538 --> 00:24:01,272
They can do a lot with that.
424
00:24:01,340 --> 00:24:03,607
So we got to it
pretty quickly.
425
00:24:04,409 --> 00:24:07,044
[narrator] the
results are clear.
426
00:24:07,112 --> 00:24:11,482
We find out that the hair in his
hand came back to susan polk.
427
00:24:14,186 --> 00:24:16,653
Now we've got hard evidence,
428
00:24:16,722 --> 00:24:18,489
So we bring her back
in for an interview.
429
00:24:20,726 --> 00:24:23,060
[narrator] this time,
susan is willing to talk
430
00:24:23,128 --> 00:24:25,929
And admits there is more
to the story,
431
00:24:25,998 --> 00:24:29,599
But it's not what
investigators think.
432
00:24:29,669 --> 00:24:31,235
She admits killing
him, but she says
433
00:24:31,303 --> 00:24:32,937
That she did it in self-defense.
434
00:24:36,908 --> 00:24:38,709
[narrator] susan
said she lied earlier
435
00:24:38,777 --> 00:24:41,545
Because she feared her sons
would lose their father
436
00:24:41,614 --> 00:24:43,848
And their mother.
437
00:24:46,785 --> 00:24:48,451
[paul] she describes going
down to the pool house
438
00:24:48,521 --> 00:24:50,621
To talk to him.
439
00:24:50,689 --> 00:24:52,389
They got in an argument.
440
00:24:52,458 --> 00:24:53,757
He grabbed a knife.
441
00:24:53,826 --> 00:24:56,861
He attacked her with the knife.
442
00:24:56,929 --> 00:24:59,796
She was in fear for her life.
443
00:24:59,865 --> 00:25:03,233
She kicked him in the groin,
got the knife away from him,
444
00:25:03,302 --> 00:25:05,936
And stabbed him in self-defense.
445
00:25:08,373 --> 00:25:11,842
[narrator] according to susan,
this wasn't the first attack.
446
00:25:14,179 --> 00:25:16,613
[paul] she said he'd
been abusive before.
447
00:25:16,682 --> 00:25:17,848
He threatened her.
448
00:25:17,916 --> 00:25:19,950
His been abusive all along.
449
00:25:21,754 --> 00:25:24,922
[linda] the reason why she
stayed with felix is because
450
00:25:24,990 --> 00:25:27,324
She really didn't have a
comprehensive understanding
451
00:25:27,326 --> 00:25:29,226
Of what else to do.
452
00:25:29,294 --> 00:25:30,794
She loved her boys.
453
00:25:30,796 --> 00:25:32,930
She was trying to
keep her family intact.
454
00:25:32,998 --> 00:25:34,732
She was trying to
keep her relationship
455
00:25:34,800 --> 00:25:36,733
With her boys solid.
456
00:25:36,735 --> 00:25:38,201
And that's why she stayed.
457
00:25:38,270 --> 00:25:42,206
[music]
458
00:25:43,776 --> 00:25:46,076
[narrator] susan says
that two months earlier,
459
00:25:46,145 --> 00:25:49,647
She finally built up the
courage to file for divorce.
460
00:25:50,982 --> 00:25:53,150
But while she was in montana
461
00:25:53,218 --> 00:25:55,553
Looking for a place
to live on her own,
462
00:25:55,621 --> 00:25:58,155
Felix bombarded
her with threats.
463
00:25:59,958 --> 00:26:03,694
"when you come home, I'm
gonna do away with you."
464
00:26:03,762 --> 00:26:06,530
And she believed that
he was threatening her.
465
00:26:08,734 --> 00:26:11,168
[narrator] with susan's
story contradicting gabe's
466
00:26:11,236 --> 00:26:13,904
By painting felix
as the villain,
467
00:26:13,972 --> 00:26:17,440
Investigators ask her to
submit to a physical exam,
468
00:26:17,442 --> 00:26:20,177
Hoping this will shed
light on the truth.
469
00:26:21,914 --> 00:26:26,183
[paul] there was no scratches
or cuts or anything on her.
470
00:26:27,787 --> 00:26:30,287
He had defensive
wounds on his hands.
471
00:26:30,355 --> 00:26:34,892
No victim who's conscious
doesn't have defensive wounds
472
00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:36,459
When they're being
stabbed because that's--
473
00:26:36,529 --> 00:26:38,995
That's almost an instinct,
to throw your arms and hands up
474
00:26:39,064 --> 00:26:41,164
To keep the knife from
being plunged into you.
475
00:26:42,067 --> 00:26:44,368
[narrator] with an initial
blow mean to immobilize
476
00:26:44,436 --> 00:26:47,104
And 27 stab wounds in all,
477
00:26:47,172 --> 00:26:49,739
Investigators believe
the attack on felix
478
00:26:49,809 --> 00:26:52,976
Was intended to kill.
479
00:26:53,045 --> 00:26:55,245
[paul] if you're trying
to defend yourself,
480
00:26:55,314 --> 00:26:57,680
You don't inflict
481
00:26:57,682 --> 00:26:59,983
A number of wounds
over and over.
482
00:27:00,051 --> 00:27:02,686
You inflict wounds
until they're disabled.
483
00:27:04,156 --> 00:27:07,991
[narrator] investigators discern
if it truly was self-defense,
484
00:27:08,060 --> 00:27:11,028
Susan would've called
911 immediately,
485
00:27:11,096 --> 00:27:13,897
Rather than leaving felix's
body in the pool house
486
00:27:13,966 --> 00:27:17,034
For nearly 22 hours.
487
00:27:18,037 --> 00:27:21,471
If an ambulance
had gotten there in time,
488
00:27:21,540 --> 00:27:23,974
He may have been saved.
489
00:27:24,042 --> 00:27:25,809
But she didn't call 911.
490
00:27:26,645 --> 00:27:30,814
[music]
491
00:27:30,882 --> 00:27:32,650
[narrator] investigators
take a closer look
492
00:27:32,718 --> 00:27:35,385
At the divorce proceedings...
493
00:27:35,454 --> 00:27:39,657
And learn felix had recently
taken some bold moves.
494
00:27:40,793 --> 00:27:42,725
[kevin] in late
September/early October,
495
00:27:42,727 --> 00:27:44,795
Susan went away to montana.
496
00:27:44,863 --> 00:27:47,197
While susan was gone,
497
00:27:47,266 --> 00:27:49,933
Felix was able to obtain
a restraining order
498
00:27:50,002 --> 00:27:52,836
To keep susan out of the house
499
00:27:52,905 --> 00:27:54,271
And give him sole custody
500
00:27:54,339 --> 00:27:57,174
And also sole possession
of their shared house.
501
00:27:58,544 --> 00:27:59,877
[narrator] while she was gone,
502
00:27:59,945 --> 00:28:01,778
Weeks prior to his murder,
503
00:28:01,847 --> 00:28:04,347
Felix also tightened
the purse strings
504
00:28:04,349 --> 00:28:08,285
On their temporary
spousal support agreement.
505
00:28:08,353 --> 00:28:11,422
Felix managed to have
her monthly payments
506
00:28:11,490 --> 00:28:13,424
Reduced from $6000 a month
507
00:28:13,492 --> 00:28:17,127
Down to $1700 a month.
508
00:28:18,197 --> 00:28:19,897
When she discovered
what felix had done,
509
00:28:19,899 --> 00:28:22,799
She immediately
coopted her son gabriel
510
00:28:22,868 --> 00:28:25,235
To help move all of
her husband's belongings
511
00:28:25,304 --> 00:28:27,805
Into the guesthouse
behind their home.
512
00:28:29,007 --> 00:28:30,240
[kevin] three days
before the murder,
513
00:28:30,309 --> 00:28:32,176
Felix polk had
called the police.
514
00:28:59,938 --> 00:29:02,939
When police showed up, he
presented the court order
515
00:29:03,008 --> 00:29:05,942
Showing that a
judge had given him
516
00:29:06,011 --> 00:29:07,944
Sole possession of the house.
517
00:29:08,013 --> 00:29:09,913
They found a note
from susan saying that
518
00:29:09,982 --> 00:29:12,415
She did not feel it
was a valid court order.
519
00:29:12,484 --> 00:29:13,917
She'd gone to the movies.
520
00:29:13,986 --> 00:29:17,220
And at that time,
felix also realized
521
00:29:17,222 --> 00:29:19,123
That susan had changed
the locks on the house.
522
00:29:21,026 --> 00:29:24,294
Three days later,
gabriel found his father dead.
523
00:29:24,363 --> 00:29:29,900
[music]
524
00:29:29,968 --> 00:29:32,269
[narrator] the direction
of the case seems clear,
525
00:29:32,337 --> 00:29:35,339
But as investigators
continue to dig,
526
00:29:35,407 --> 00:29:37,074
A decades-old secret
527
00:29:37,142 --> 00:29:39,877
Will throw the case
into a tailspin.
528
00:29:43,282 --> 00:29:44,914
Coming up,
529
00:29:44,984 --> 00:29:48,118
Susan's mother
drops a bombshell.
530
00:29:48,186 --> 00:29:50,053
According to her
mother, she was groomed
531
00:29:50,122 --> 00:29:52,189
When she was his patient.
532
00:29:53,725 --> 00:29:57,527
[narrator] and susan
launches a media campaign.
533
00:29:57,529 --> 00:30:01,498
It was horrible, but I, I did
what I had to do to survive.
534
00:30:03,735 --> 00:30:07,905
[theme music]
535
00:30:16,882 --> 00:30:19,316
[narrator] following
susan polk's arrest,
536
00:30:19,384 --> 00:30:24,154
Susan's mother approaches
detectives with new information
537
00:30:24,222 --> 00:30:26,990
What they learn
changes everything.
538
00:30:28,093 --> 00:30:29,960
Although susan and
felix had been married
539
00:30:30,028 --> 00:30:32,996
Since susan was 24 years old,
540
00:30:33,065 --> 00:30:37,267
Their relationship began
almost a decade earlier.
541
00:30:38,170 --> 00:30:42,873
Susan, at a very vulnerable
time in her life, age 15,
542
00:30:42,941 --> 00:30:45,442
She was very damaged
by her parents' divorce.
543
00:30:47,012 --> 00:30:50,513
[michael] she was having
behavioral problems in school.
544
00:30:50,582 --> 00:30:53,450
And the school wanted
her to get some help.
545
00:30:53,518 --> 00:30:56,320
So that's when she became
a patient of, of felix polk's.
546
00:30:59,124 --> 00:31:00,457
[narrator] but
susan's mother alleges
547
00:31:00,525 --> 00:31:03,292
That instead of helping
his young patient,
548
00:31:03,294 --> 00:31:05,529
Felix took advantage of her.
549
00:31:07,132 --> 00:31:08,865
[linda] according to her mother,
550
00:31:08,934 --> 00:31:13,370
She was groomed and
abused by felix polk
551
00:31:13,438 --> 00:31:15,605
When she was his patient
552
00:31:15,607 --> 00:31:18,641
When she was a teenager,
553
00:31:18,711 --> 00:31:20,410
And he sexually abused her.
554
00:31:24,483 --> 00:31:26,984
[dr. Jordan] she alleges
that when she was 15,
555
00:31:27,052 --> 00:31:32,055
Felix polk engaged in
nonconsensual sex with her
556
00:31:32,124 --> 00:31:34,892
By hypnotizing her
and drugging her.
557
00:31:36,628 --> 00:31:37,861
According to her mother,
558
00:31:37,929 --> 00:31:41,330
She was only 15,
and he was in his 40's.
559
00:31:41,332 --> 00:31:42,799
And it was not just rape,
560
00:31:42,867 --> 00:31:45,869
But clearly she says felix polk
561
00:31:45,937 --> 00:31:48,205
Started a terribly
inappropriate,
562
00:31:48,273 --> 00:31:51,975
Truly abusive and exploitative
relationship with susan.
563
00:31:53,478 --> 00:31:56,613
Susan seemed to be
in love with felix.
564
00:31:56,682 --> 00:31:58,681
She eventually told her mother,
565
00:31:58,751 --> 00:32:01,150
And that susan's
mother confronted him
566
00:32:01,152 --> 00:32:03,420
And told him, "you will
break off this relationship
567
00:32:03,488 --> 00:32:05,154
With my daughter!"
568
00:32:05,156 --> 00:32:07,224
But she never reported
it to the police.
569
00:32:09,294 --> 00:32:12,462
[music]
570
00:32:12,531 --> 00:32:14,197
[narrator] felix
stayed away from susan
571
00:32:14,199 --> 00:32:15,999
While she started college,
572
00:32:16,068 --> 00:32:18,801
But not for long.
573
00:32:18,803 --> 00:32:22,772
Susan eventually, around the
age of 18, went off to college.
574
00:32:22,774 --> 00:32:26,843
It was within a year or two
back to the way it had been.
575
00:32:26,911 --> 00:32:29,079
And even though she was older,
576
00:32:29,147 --> 00:32:31,348
She had a compulsion
to go back to him.
577
00:32:32,151 --> 00:32:34,451
[narrator] while susan
was in school nearby,
578
00:32:34,519 --> 00:32:37,420
She and felix continued
their relationship,
579
00:32:37,489 --> 00:32:41,425
Which susan eventually
revealed to her new therapist.
580
00:32:43,361 --> 00:32:45,128
[dr. Jordan]
she went to a different,
581
00:32:45,130 --> 00:32:47,998
Female psychotherapist,
telling that woman
582
00:32:48,066 --> 00:32:50,400
Her previous doctor,
dr. Felix polk,
583
00:32:50,469 --> 00:32:53,570
Had initiated a sexual
relationship with her
584
00:32:53,638 --> 00:32:55,872
While she was underage
and was his patient.
585
00:32:57,509 --> 00:33:00,009
The new doctor,
instead of turning in
586
00:33:00,011 --> 00:33:02,245
Felix polk to the apa,
587
00:33:02,314 --> 00:33:04,581
Calls his wife
and lets her know.
588
00:33:05,751 --> 00:33:10,220
The wife wants to divorce felix.
589
00:33:10,288 --> 00:33:14,424
He decides the best way to
handle this scandal head on
590
00:33:14,493 --> 00:33:18,362
Is to go ahead and divorce
his wife and to marry susan.
591
00:33:20,999 --> 00:33:22,031
[paul] they get
married, even though
592
00:33:22,033 --> 00:33:23,766
There's a 25-year difference.
593
00:33:23,768 --> 00:33:26,436
But then they go on
to have three children
594
00:33:26,505 --> 00:33:29,506
And somewhat,
in a way, look like, okay,
595
00:33:29,574 --> 00:33:31,041
This all worked out.
596
00:33:32,344 --> 00:33:35,412
[narrator] the news is
a shock to investigators.
597
00:33:35,480 --> 00:33:38,281
But they quickly realize
they aren't the only ones
598
00:33:38,283 --> 00:33:41,918
Getting the inside scoop.
599
00:33:41,987 --> 00:33:43,986
At the encouragement
of her attorneys,
600
00:33:44,056 --> 00:33:47,391
Susan is telling
her story far and wide.
601
00:33:49,294 --> 00:33:50,426
[paul] she started
giving interviews.
602
00:33:50,495 --> 00:33:53,062
They were feeding
the media all these stories
603
00:33:53,064 --> 00:33:55,198
About the relationship.
604
00:33:55,267 --> 00:33:57,734
They were having an affair
when she was underage
605
00:33:57,802 --> 00:33:59,636
And his patient.
606
00:33:59,704 --> 00:34:02,672
Susan explained that he had
sex with her in his office
607
00:34:02,741 --> 00:34:05,108
When she was an adolescent.
608
00:34:06,344 --> 00:34:09,179
[robert] it's kind of,
you know, front page news.
609
00:34:09,247 --> 00:34:11,214
The story is unfolding,
610
00:34:11,216 --> 00:34:12,582
And finding out more and more.
611
00:34:13,819 --> 00:34:17,453
[narrator] according to susan,
the way their relationship bega
612
00:34:17,522 --> 00:34:20,223
Haunted the entirety
of their marriage.
613
00:34:25,463 --> 00:34:27,197
[narrator] susan and
her attorneys allege
614
00:34:27,265 --> 00:34:29,532
That over time,
the circumstances
615
00:34:29,534 --> 00:34:31,734
Surrounding her
relationship with felix
616
00:34:31,736 --> 00:34:35,137
Took a toll on
her mental health.
617
00:34:35,139 --> 00:34:37,574
He told me I could
never leave him,
618
00:34:37,642 --> 00:34:40,010
That it would destroy
him and his career.
619
00:34:41,012 --> 00:34:42,212
[dr. Jordan]
those last five years,
620
00:34:42,280 --> 00:34:46,583
Susan's mental capacity
really began to decompensate.
621
00:34:47,286 --> 00:34:50,119
[narrator] susan says
instead of offering help,
622
00:34:50,121 --> 00:34:52,756
Felix once again
took advantage of her.
623
00:34:54,559 --> 00:34:56,225
[dr. Jordan]
according to susan,
624
00:34:56,227 --> 00:34:57,994
Felix was turning the
children against her,
625
00:34:58,063 --> 00:35:01,931
Constantly telling the children
that she was very mentally ill,
626
00:35:01,933 --> 00:35:03,700
Kind of gaslighting susan.
627
00:35:03,768 --> 00:35:07,003
"in case she tells you that
I raped her when she was 15,
628
00:35:07,071 --> 00:35:08,705
Know that that's all made up!"
629
00:35:10,241 --> 00:35:12,975
[narrator] with no way
to prove or disprove
630
00:35:12,977 --> 00:35:15,245
Susan's claims about her past,
631
00:35:15,313 --> 00:35:17,814
Investigators feel
that her media campaign
632
00:35:17,882 --> 00:35:22,452
Is an attempt to bolster
her claims of self-defense.
633
00:35:22,520 --> 00:35:26,556
My recollection is that I
stabbed him five or six times.
634
00:35:26,625 --> 00:35:28,458
I was on my back
the entire time.
635
00:35:28,527 --> 00:35:31,594
He was, um, aggressing
the entire time.
636
00:35:31,663 --> 00:35:35,131
It was horrible, but I, I did
what I had to do to survive.
637
00:35:35,200 --> 00:35:39,369
[music]
638
00:35:40,905 --> 00:35:42,705
[narrator] whether or
not the general public
639
00:35:42,774 --> 00:35:44,507
Buys susan's story,
640
00:35:44,576 --> 00:35:47,744
She garners plenty of attention
641
00:35:47,812 --> 00:35:51,581
At that point, it
became a media circus,
642
00:35:51,650 --> 00:35:53,550
With everybody wanting to know,
643
00:35:53,618 --> 00:35:58,255
Because orinda is a
quiet, upscale suburbia,
644
00:35:58,257 --> 00:36:00,891
And so a crime of murder is
645
00:36:00,959 --> 00:36:04,360
Forefront in, uh, the news.
646
00:36:04,429 --> 00:36:05,895
[narrator] prosecutors
know the trial
647
00:36:05,964 --> 00:36:09,833
Will be unlike any
they've done in the past.
648
00:36:11,602 --> 00:36:14,704
[paul] it's a once in a
lifetime...Get some weird...
649
00:36:14,773 --> 00:36:17,173
I mean, I've tried a lot
of cases, but, you know,
650
00:36:17,241 --> 00:36:19,175
This is obviously
the most bizarre.
651
00:36:20,279 --> 00:36:23,179
[narrator] prosecutors learn
that susan and her defense team
652
00:36:23,181 --> 00:36:27,183
Are putting a worrisome
strategy in place.
653
00:36:27,251 --> 00:36:28,617
[paul] she had a good lawyer.
654
00:36:28,619 --> 00:36:30,486
They got a judge
to render--to say--
655
00:36:30,555 --> 00:36:32,022
Make an order that
she's incompetent
656
00:36:32,090 --> 00:36:34,925
And meet with, uh,
psychological experts
657
00:36:34,993 --> 00:36:37,294
To determine her competency.
658
00:36:37,362 --> 00:36:40,463
[narrator] but on
January 13, 2006,
659
00:36:40,532 --> 00:36:43,266
Attorneys on both
sides get a surprise
660
00:36:43,335 --> 00:36:45,835
When susan makes
an announcement.
661
00:36:49,841 --> 00:36:52,275
She was never willing to
submit to any sort of...
662
00:36:52,343 --> 00:36:55,011
Uh, psychological
assessment to determine
663
00:36:55,079 --> 00:36:57,447
What, if any, psychological
issues she may have had.
664
00:36:58,783 --> 00:37:00,883
[dr. Jordan] susan refused
to let her attorneys
665
00:37:00,952 --> 00:37:04,721
Put that defense on the
table, firing them all.
666
00:37:04,789 --> 00:37:08,358
She refused to cooperate with
a psychological examination,
667
00:37:08,426 --> 00:37:10,960
Fired her lawyers, and
then represented herself.
668
00:37:11,029 --> 00:37:12,428
So was she crazy?
669
00:37:12,497 --> 00:37:14,964
Or did she know exactly
what she was doing?
670
00:37:15,033 --> 00:37:18,701
Am I going to just, um,
go down without a fight?
671
00:37:18,703 --> 00:37:19,636
No.
672
00:37:21,239 --> 00:37:22,439
[narrator] coming up,
673
00:37:22,507 --> 00:37:26,275
Will susan's risky move pay off
674
00:37:26,277 --> 00:37:29,412
She's smarter than even
most attorneys are.
675
00:37:29,480 --> 00:37:31,548
[narrator] or cost her freedom?
676
00:37:31,616 --> 00:37:32,949
The courtroom's
packed every day.
677
00:37:33,018 --> 00:37:34,451
The press is there.
678
00:37:34,519 --> 00:37:36,886
It became the theater
of the absurd.
679
00:37:38,857 --> 00:37:42,859
[theme music]
680
00:37:51,502 --> 00:37:53,470
[narrator] by March 2006,
681
00:37:53,538 --> 00:37:56,973
Prosecutors are eager to
begin susan polk's trial
682
00:37:57,041 --> 00:38:01,811
For the murder of her
husband, dr. Felix polk.
683
00:38:01,880 --> 00:38:04,580
Months before, susan
sent shockwaves
684
00:38:04,649 --> 00:38:06,349
Through contra costa county
685
00:38:06,417 --> 00:38:10,753
When she announced she
would act as her own counsel.
686
00:38:10,755 --> 00:38:13,456
That's what's
captivated the public,
687
00:38:13,458 --> 00:38:15,558
Was that she was
representing herself.
688
00:38:15,627 --> 00:38:17,160
The courtroom's
packed every day.
689
00:38:17,228 --> 00:38:18,428
The press is there.
690
00:38:18,496 --> 00:38:20,196
People are standing
on the sides.
691
00:38:20,264 --> 00:38:24,000
It's become
this...Theater, right?
692
00:38:24,068 --> 00:38:26,303
And everybody wants to know
what's gonna happen today.
693
00:38:27,305 --> 00:38:28,638
[narrator] susan's
opening statement
694
00:38:28,706 --> 00:38:32,608
Gives prosecutors
reason for concern.
695
00:38:32,677 --> 00:38:34,443
[kevin] she's obviously
a very smart person,
696
00:38:34,513 --> 00:38:37,681
Smarter than...Even
most attorneys are.
697
00:38:41,753 --> 00:38:43,252
[narrator] prosecutors
allege that
698
00:38:43,321 --> 00:38:45,321
During the contentious divorce,
699
00:38:45,389 --> 00:38:48,458
Susan hit a breaking
point and snapped.
700
00:38:50,895 --> 00:38:52,595
[paul] the marriage
was disintegrating.
701
00:38:52,664 --> 00:38:55,731
She'd become so
bitter and angry,
702
00:38:55,800 --> 00:38:57,634
She was capable of
killing her husband.
703
00:38:58,603 --> 00:39:00,603
She felt like she was entitled.
704
00:39:00,605 --> 00:39:02,439
That after all he'd done to her
705
00:39:02,441 --> 00:39:03,973
And all he was
going to do to her,
706
00:39:04,042 --> 00:39:05,675
And she just had it.
707
00:39:05,744 --> 00:39:07,477
I think she sat there
and her mind was spinning,
708
00:39:07,545 --> 00:39:10,480
And it went,
"okay, it's time.
709
00:39:10,548 --> 00:39:12,081
I'm gonna go kill him."
710
00:39:12,150 --> 00:39:16,418
[music]
711
00:39:16,420 --> 00:39:17,820
[narrator] prosecutors assert
712
00:39:17,822 --> 00:39:19,956
That susan roused
her husband from sleep
713
00:39:20,024 --> 00:39:23,660
And met him at the door
with a weapon in hand.
714
00:39:25,396 --> 00:39:26,963
[paul] our theory
was that she hit him,
715
00:39:27,031 --> 00:39:30,900
Possibly with a
flashlight, to disable him.
716
00:39:30,969 --> 00:39:33,836
The blunt force trauma
to the back of the head
717
00:39:33,905 --> 00:39:37,207
Either rendered him unconscious
or semi-unconscious,
718
00:39:37,275 --> 00:39:38,841
And then stabbed him,
719
00:39:38,843 --> 00:39:40,910
And he had no ability
to defend himself.
720
00:39:43,715 --> 00:39:46,649
We found felix's car at
the nearby bart station.
721
00:39:46,718 --> 00:39:49,385
And our theory was
that susan drove this car
722
00:39:49,453 --> 00:39:52,322
To make it look like...
723
00:39:52,390 --> 00:39:55,325
There was something
involved with this killing.
724
00:39:55,393 --> 00:39:59,662
[music]
725
00:39:59,731 --> 00:40:01,698
[narrator] when it comes
to susan's defense,
726
00:40:01,766 --> 00:40:03,900
She starts by making
her way through
727
00:40:03,968 --> 00:40:08,738
The prosecution's witness
list without missing a beat.
728
00:40:08,806 --> 00:40:11,508
There were periods in the trial
where some of her questioning
729
00:40:11,576 --> 00:40:15,945
Was...As good as I've
ever heard from anywhere.
730
00:40:16,014 --> 00:40:17,680
I mean, some of her
cross-examination
731
00:40:17,682 --> 00:40:19,883
Was really, really good.
732
00:40:21,419 --> 00:40:23,419
[narrator] but as
the trial goes on,
733
00:40:23,487 --> 00:40:27,557
Cracks begin to form
in susan's strategy.
734
00:40:27,625 --> 00:40:31,394
It became...Kind of
the theater of the absurd.
735
00:40:33,431 --> 00:40:35,564
She accused him of everything
736
00:40:35,634 --> 00:40:39,869
From being a mossad agent
to being involved with 9/11.
737
00:40:39,938 --> 00:40:42,872
I mean, there's a lot
of crazy accusations.
738
00:40:42,941 --> 00:40:46,909
Again, all unverifiable,
just her throwing out stuff
739
00:40:46,911 --> 00:40:49,312
In her mind--what
she thinks in her mind.
740
00:40:50,514 --> 00:40:52,382
[linda] it does make
it harder to believe
741
00:40:52,450 --> 00:40:55,517
That if the person's
saying something
742
00:40:55,519 --> 00:40:57,419
That seems delusional here,
743
00:40:57,489 --> 00:40:59,055
They're telling
the truth over here.
744
00:41:00,324 --> 00:41:02,859
[narrator] there are three
witnesses set to take the stand
745
00:41:02,927 --> 00:41:05,728
Who steal the
spotlight from susan.
746
00:41:07,932 --> 00:41:09,365
[dr. Jordan]
gabriel, who at age 15
747
00:41:09,433 --> 00:41:11,000
Discovered his father's body,
748
00:41:11,069 --> 00:41:14,570
And adam, who at 19
was away at college.
749
00:41:14,639 --> 00:41:18,007
These two young men
went into the court
750
00:41:18,076 --> 00:41:20,676
Ready to give the testimony
of what they knew.
751
00:41:20,745 --> 00:41:22,878
It was almost
like a train wreck.
752
00:41:22,947 --> 00:41:26,015
They are basically being
badgered by their own mother.
753
00:41:27,218 --> 00:41:28,951
It became a three-ring circus
754
00:41:28,953 --> 00:41:32,688
When she finally called her
middle child, eli, to the stand
755
00:41:32,757 --> 00:41:34,957
As her defense witness.
756
00:41:35,860 --> 00:41:38,728
[narrator] eli backs up
his mother's claims.
757
00:41:40,765 --> 00:41:44,634
He insisted that she was
abused, that she was innocent,
758
00:41:44,702 --> 00:41:47,736
That everything had
been felix's fault.
759
00:41:47,738 --> 00:41:49,005
[michael] and that
was never proven.
760
00:41:49,073 --> 00:41:51,040
There was never any evidence
that he ever beat susan polk.
761
00:41:52,143 --> 00:41:54,544
[paul] uh, I was
able to punch a lot of...
762
00:41:54,612 --> 00:41:57,113
Holes in a lot of
the things he said.
763
00:41:57,181 --> 00:42:00,583
When I cross-examined him,
she objected 140 times.
764
00:42:00,651 --> 00:42:03,185
But by then,
I was getting, uh...
765
00:42:03,187 --> 00:42:05,655
I was getting immune
to all her yelling,
766
00:42:05,723 --> 00:42:06,823
So I just kept going.
767
00:42:11,029 --> 00:42:14,163
[narrator] after a
grueling 22-week trial,
768
00:42:14,232 --> 00:42:16,999
The jury is left to decide.
769
00:42:17,001 --> 00:42:18,600
When the jury went
out, I don't know.
770
00:42:18,602 --> 00:42:20,269
I mean, it's like
when any jury goes out--
771
00:42:20,338 --> 00:42:22,105
You're scared to death.
772
00:42:24,809 --> 00:42:28,844
[narrator] four days later,
they return with a verdict.
773
00:42:28,913 --> 00:42:32,949
Susan polk is found guilty
of second-degree murder.
774
00:42:34,653 --> 00:42:36,218
[dr. Jordan] the jury,
by finding her guilty
775
00:42:36,287 --> 00:42:39,288
Of second-degree murder
instead of first-degree murder,
776
00:42:39,290 --> 00:42:42,391
Basically gave her a gift--
777
00:42:42,393 --> 00:42:43,993
16 years to life.
778
00:42:45,429 --> 00:42:47,497
I think with the information
that the jury had,
779
00:42:47,565 --> 00:42:49,198
They couldn't have made
any other decision.
780
00:42:50,768 --> 00:42:52,301
[narrator] following
the verdict,
781
00:42:52,370 --> 00:42:56,038
Adam polk makes a statement.
782
00:42:56,040 --> 00:42:57,807
Felix polk was a beloved father,
783
00:42:57,875 --> 00:43:02,544
Brother, uncle, cousin,
and nephew to his family.
784
00:43:02,614 --> 00:43:04,581
We, as his family,
are devastated
785
00:43:04,649 --> 00:43:06,582
Not only by his loss,
786
00:43:06,651 --> 00:43:09,785
But the violent manner in
which he was taken from us.
787
00:43:09,854 --> 00:43:12,855
He was not the controlling
and manipulative individual
788
00:43:12,857 --> 00:43:15,257
That he is portrayed to be.
789
00:43:15,259 --> 00:43:18,660
He was an imperfect
person, as we all are.
790
00:43:18,662 --> 00:43:21,197
But susan had no right
to take him from us.
791
00:43:24,569 --> 00:43:34,978
[music]