Our families are the most formative influence on the human psyche. For better or worse, a childhood forever shapes attitudes, outlooks, and more subtle perceptions about the world. Felix brought enormous trauma and inner turmoil to his relationship with a very troubled young woman and, instead of healing her wounds, exacerbated her serious psychological problems. The couple then projected their disastrous mix onto three helpless children.
This is the story of so many of the people who fill our prisons today. Whether rich or poor, smart or simple, this group usually has been damaged long before they act out. Society cannot simply empathize and open prison doors because of a bad childhood, but it should understand that without addressing this insidious damage, incarceration will do little to affect what makes such people dangerous to others or themselves. Prison therapy is often seen as a weak, “liberal” response to criminal behavior, but it is one of the few measures that might actually rehabilitate those who will one day walk our streets again.
As you read this, adults and children all over the country are being subjected to mental and physical violence in a place that should be the most safe—their homes. Their personal traumas regularly become bigger problems for our schools, our workplaces, and the criminal justice system. We must better address this reality to save not only these tragic souls, but our larger family—the human race.
Susan and her brother, David Bolling.
Susan at age 15. Around the time this photo was taken, she began seeing Felix Polk for therapy.
Susan and Felix on their wedding day. Though she had reservations about the wedding, she went through with the ceremony. Not long after, tensions between them began to grow.
Felix and Susan in a happy moment with their children.
Felix enjoying the company of his son. Although he and Susan disagreed over parenting techniques, Adam and Gabe felt that he was a good father.
Susan in a calm moment with her son. Though situations with Felix were tense during the boys’ youth, it was not until they were older that the tempers began to escalate.
Felix takes over the feeding duties.
Susan and Eli during their ill-fated trip to Paris. Eli’s decision to leave Paris early and return home would later be used against him at the trial when the prosecutor attempted to portray his parental loyalties as fickle.
Susan and Adam before their relationship soured. Until his father’s death, Adam was close to his mother, but all that changed on October 13, 2002.
Together the boys of the Polk family would prove difficult for their parents to handle, as each one struggled with authority in his own way.
The main house of the Polk’s Miner Road estate. The sprawling property would be the site of numerous police visits, as the Polk sons and their parents found themselves in trouble with the law.
The Miner Road pool house where Felix was living when Susan killed him. Due to his fear of Susan, Felix claimed to have “barricaded” himself inside the pool house in the days before his death.
Eli relaxing on the deck during happier times.
Susan’s dogs were of particular importance to her and the subject of contention between her and Felix.
Though Susan’s relationship with Felix could at times seem normal, the years of conflict eventually became too much.
One of the controversial bloody footprints found at the crime scene.
While at first she would claim that her injuries were the result of her dog’s overaggressive behavior, Susan later revealed that the bruising around her eye and the small cuts to her fingers stemmed from her struggle with Felix.
A police department sketch of the Polk’s Miner Road estate.
My 2005 interview with Susan on Catherine Crier Live . It was during this discussion that she revealed Felix’s naval records and told her side of that fateful evening.
Taken in the Polk’s pool house, this sequence of photos shows Susan’s attorneys, Dan Horowitz (with glasses) and Ivan Golde, reenacting the struggle between Felix and Susan on the night of Felix’s death.
Helen Bolling speaking with reporters outside the courthouse.
Prosecutor Paul Sequeira preparing to address the media.
Valerie Harris making a statement to reporters in front of the courthouse. While her professional relationship with Susan was strained by Susan’s erratic behavior, ultimately Valerie’s presence was a big help to Susan as she maneuvered through one legal minefield after another.
Adam and Gabriel on the set of Catherine Crier Live.
Eli after learning of his mother’s verdict.
After the verdict: (From left to right) Prosecutor Sequeira, Gabriel Polk, Majorie Briner, Adam Polk, Dan Briner.
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