GA Supreme Court Hears Dunwoody Day Care Killer's Appeal

Georgia Supreme Court justices heard an appeal Tuesday by Hemy Neuman of Dunwoody, the former GE Energy executive who said a demon told him to kill his mistress’ husband.

Attorneys argued their case, trying to win Neuman a new trial, WSB Radio reports.

A jury found Hemy Neuman guilty but mentally ill in 2012 for the killing of Russell “Rusty” Sneiderman after he dropped his son off at a Dunwoody child-care center, Patch previously reported. Neuman pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. His lawyers gave evidence that Neuman believed he was visited by an angel and a demon that told him to kill Sneiderman.

With new arguments in hand, Neuman’s attorneys appealed with four different points on Tuesday, WSB Radio reports. Two of those points stood out at the hearing.

Attorney-Client Privilege Breach

First defense attorney Scott Key claimed attorney-client privilege was breached during Neuman’s first trial, the news outlet reports.

Key says prosecutors obtained notes made by psychiatrists who visited Neuman in prison, according to WSB Radio. The doctors were sent to Neuman on behalf of defense attorneys, and the notes were not meant to be seen by anyone else.

“We think that this issue, coupled with the other issues involving treatment records, was devastating to Mr. Neuman,” Key said. “It’s not only important to this case, but it’s important in any case. When a defense attorney, either through himself, or an investigator, or a consultant, sends someone to speak to a client, there’s an expectation that that is sacred.”

Victim’s Wife Convicted of Perjury

Neuman’s attorneys also made an argument that Andrea Sneiderman, the widow of Rusty Sneiderman, gave perjured testimony and damaged the case, WSB Radio reports. But the state says her testimony was not that important.

“Her testimony was many things,” DeKalb assistant district attorney Anna Cross said, “It was dramatic, it was sensational, at times, and it was ridiculous, honestly. While Mr. Key might call it important, it was challenged, it was contradicted, it was impeached and it was mocked.”

Andrea Sneiderman was convicted in August 2013 on nine of 13 charges that she lied on the witness stand during Neuman’s trial for her husband’s November 2010 shooting. She was found guilty on counts including hindering apprehension of a criminal, making false statements and concealing a romantic relationship with her former boss.

The widow testified in the case and admitted receiving $2 million in life insurance after her husband’s death. She denied having an affair with her boss and said she did not know of his plans to kill her husband.

Judge Gregory Adams, who called Rusty Sneiderman’s death “an execution,” sentenced Neuman to the maximum sentence allowed -- life in prison without possibility of parole. Adams also imposed a five-year sentence for using a gun in the commission of a felony.

Andrea Sneiderman served ten months of a five-year sentence, WSB Radio reports.

Defense Arguments

At his initial trial, Neuman’s defense attorneys, Bob Rubin and Doug Peters, said Andrea Sneiderman manipulated a mentally ill man into killing her husband.

“The entire truth has not been presented,” Peters said at the press conference after the trial. “Hemy Neuman was as good of a man who ever walked this earth until he met Andrea Sneiderman. ... Andrea Sneiderman should be charged with murder in the first degree. I think she preyed upon him and used him to commit the crime.”

Guilty but mentally ill brings the same sentence as a guilty verdict. It simply means that the Georgia Department of Corrections will be in charge of Neuman’s mental health care, if he receives any.

Rusty Sneiderman’s brother, Steven Sneiderman, said at the sentencing that the family had long suspected that Andrea Sneiderman played a role in her husband’s death.

“We know she lied about her involvement with Neuman,” he said in 2012. “We will have no peace until everyone involved in Rusty’s death is brought to justice. It is clear to us that Andrea is covered in Rusty’s blood. And there aren’t enough rabbis in the world to wash that blood away.”

There is no word from the Georgia Supreme Court on when the justices will reach a decision on whether or not to grant Neuman a new trial, WSB Radio reports.

-- PHOTOS: Convicted murderer Hemy Neuman, his purported mistress and convicted perjurer Andrea Sneiderman. Patch file photos

Read Also

• Andrea Sneiderman Found Guilty on Several Counts
• Andrea Sneiderman Accused of Perjury for Conduct in Hemy Neuman Trial
• Neuman found Guilty but Mentally Ill; Gets Life Without Parole
• Hemy Neuman Trial - Closing Arguments Offer Dramatic Moments