Attorneys for both the defense and the prosection raised questions about Andrea Sneiderman’s involvement in her husband’s murder during closing arguments March 13 in the murder trial of Hemy Neuman.
Neuman’s attorneys called Andrea Sneiderman “evil” and pointed to her influence over Neuman as a reason the jury should find him not guilty by reason of insanity.
“This case is also about one bad, really bad woman, Andrea Sneiderman — adulterer, tease, calculator, liar and master, master manipulator,” attorney Doug Peters told jurors in DeKalb County Superior Court.
Neuman has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to killing Andrea Sneiderman’s husband, Rusty, on Nov.18, 2010.
Neuman was Andrea Sneidermans supervisor at GE Energy and attorneys and psychiatrists have said he was in love with her. Andrea Sneiderman denies that the two had an affair. She has not been charged in her husband’s death.
Peters suggested Andrea Sneiderman knew Neuman was spinning out of control.
“the gun was in Hemy’s hand. But the trigger, I respectfully suggest, was pulled by Andrea Sneiderman,” Peters said.
DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said Neuman and Andrea Sneiderman both had inconsistent stories about what she told people shortly after Rusty Sneiderman was shot.
“They’re covering up for one another and they can’t keep their stories straight,” James said. “She wants to protect Hemy and she wants to protect herself. This isn’t manipulation, this is cahoots, this is conspiracy.”
Bob Rubin, one of Neuman’s attorneys, told the jurors that it would be “inhumane” to find Neuman guilty. Rubin reminded jurors that Neuman told psychiatrists he believed he needed to kill Rusty Sneiderman because he was a threat to the Sneiderman children.
“He did not know what he was doing was wrong,” Rubin said. “He thought he was doing the right thing to save Ian and Sophia [Sneiderman]. He is not guilty by reason of insanity.”
Rubin pointed out that reputable doctors from Emory University found him to be bipolar and delusional.
James said told jurors the evidence simply wasn’t strong enough to prove Neuman was insane.
“He’s not crazy. He’s just evil,” James said. “Hemy Neuman killed Rusty Sneiderman because he wanted his wife, he wanted his money, and he wanted his life. period.”
James showed the jury a picture of Rusty Sneiderman and asked them to find Neuman guilty.
“He’s dead because of this animal, this selfish individual, this twisted little man,” James said, pointing at Neuman.
The jury will resume deliberations Wednesday morning.