Hemy Neuman trial ends, and reality sets in

No not for Hemy Neuman, for me.  I'm going to have to go back to writing about politics-BORING, or my so called life-BORING(ER).  :)

Let's face it reading about murder, betrayal, sex, and crazy is a lot more interesting than writing about politics.  Although often times there is plenty of betrayal, sex and crazy in politics to go around! 

It's  probably a good thing the trial is over, as my obsession took a turn for the worse.  I knew it had gotten out of hand today when my 9 mile commute took an hour and fifteen minutes, and I not only did not notice, but did not want to get out of the car because I was engrossed in the local news coverage of the verdict.  An intervention was definitely in order.

Guilty but mentally ill was the verdict. 

When the foreperson read it, she was fine through guilty, then choked up when she added 'but mentally ill'.  My assumption is the jury may not have known whether the verdict they reached would set Mr. Neuman free, or send him to prison.  My other assumption is the verdict was reached as some sort of compromise.  An alternative to a hung jury for the one or two who may have bought the insanity defense.  We may never know. 

As is customary in a case like this, a press conference is held after the verdict/sentence imposed and although jurors could participate, none did.  I don't blame them.  People are very passionate about this case, no matter on which side they fall.  There is nothing the jury could say to satisfy those who disagree with their decision, so why subject themselves to those who would rip them apart for doing their civic duty.

The press conference went on an the defense attorneys, DA, Dunwoody Police Chief and Rusty Sneiderman's brother participated.  And while the reality had just set in that I'd be back to blogging about politics, or dare I say me, some of the press conference statements and/or responses lead me to believe I may not be writing about politics for very long.............................

DA Robert James was very eloquent in his words about Rusty Sneiderman and his family, reminding everyone that a good man lost his life and that the guilty verdict was about honoring Rusty, about justice for Rusty.  That too much time had already been spent focusing on Hemy and Andrea, and that he would not spend the entire press conference speaking about them. 

The DA made it clear he would look into whether charges should be brought against Andrea Sneiderman, and he made it even clearer emotion would not drive his decision, rather evidence and the ability to present a case against her would.  The most interesting response from the DA was to a reporter who asked him what he would say to those who question his inferring Andrea had something to do with the murder of her husband without having charged her, to which the DA replied I'd say 'stay tuned'.  Interesting.....

Rusty's brother, who was unbelievably gracious and eloquent in what I can only imagine was one of the most difficult times in his life, was crystal clear in his belief a criminal case against his sister in law should be pursued.  In his statement he said his family 'will have no peace until  everyone involved in Rusty's death is held accountable for their actions.  In the meantime, it is clear to me that Andrea is covered in Rusty's blood, and there are not enough rabbis in the world to wash away those sins'.  Ouch................ 

Hemy Neuman's defense team agrees with the Sneiderman family's opinion of Andrea's culpability.  Doug Peters said he believes 'she should be charged with murder, in the first degree'.  Only time will tell if Andrea Sneiderman will be charged, and clearly DA James will not pursue a case without evidence. 

At this point, my opinion remains unchanged...........................because in my heart, I don't want to believe Andrea had anything to do with the murder of her husband.  I do believe she had an affair. I do believe she used poor judgement resulting in Rusty's murder.   I believe that because she could not bear the thought that she had an affair with someone capable of killing her husband, she convinced herself she never did, and testified to it in court.


HOWEVER, it turns out I am wrong on occasion.  BUT do not tell my husband or my kids I admitted this.  I too have convinced myself that I could never have the ability to be wrong, so I convince myself, my husband and my kids of this, and I too would testify to it in court!

Hemy Neuman Sentenced-Life without Parole

The maximum sentence allowable by law along with 5 years for count two (possession of a firearm) to be served consecutively.
As was the case during the trial, the judge wastes no time in the sentencing face.  He listened to the victim statements and rendered the sentence 12 minutes later.   Love this judge!
Hemy is taken out of the courtroom, and the prosecuters and any jurors can speak in an hour from now. 
This should be interesting and will post more about that later.

Hemy Neuman: Guilt but Mentally Ill

Guilty but mentally ill???  Seriously???

At first I was dumb founded thinking that Hemy Neuman essentially got away with murder.  But this is not the case.  Although the jury found Hemy Neuman mentally ill, he will still be sentenced to time in jail.  Initially he will spend an initial period in psychiatric care, but once he is deemed sane he will spend the remainder of his sentence in jail.

I think the jury essentially was trying to send a message.  A message that they held Mr. Neuman responsible for the murder of Rusty Sneiderman, but that they felt he was influenced by Andrea Sneiderman if not by his childhood. 

The judge is now listening to Rusty and Hemy's family members, and from Hemy Neuman prior to sentencing.  More to come..................

Hemy Neuman Trial: Defense Rests

The Dunwoody Daycare Murder Trial is nearing an end. The prosecution rested its case on February 28th, and Hemy Neuman's defense was short and sweet. His sister, a Ga Tech employee in charge of student records and two phychiatrists were the only witnesses on Hemy Neuman's behalf, he declined to testify.

The defense psychiatrists testified Hemy was bi polar, in a manic phase, seeing demons and angels and compelled to kill by his hot and cold love affair with the victim's wife Andrea Sneiderman.

In my humble opinion, it was a thin defense to begin with and the state has had no problem poking holes in it.
I see very little chance of Hemy Neuman being found insane at the time of the killing, thus not responsible; however, I see a very high chance of a quick guilty verdict!

The trial is now in what is called 'the rebuttal phase' where the prosecution calls witnesses to counter the defense's assertion Hemy Neuman is insane. It is unclear if Andrea Sneiderman will be recalled to testify, she continues to be under subpoena but it would be like beating a dead horse......Did you have an affair with Mr. Neuman, No..... But what about the 1400+ phone calls, texts and emails? I have no idea what you are talking about, who is Mr. Neuman again, oh yes, that silly boy........
At this point, the jury either believes the two had an affair or they don't. Recalling Andrea would do little good for either side but it certainly would make things more interesting for the spectators.

One wonders if the prosection and/or defense would consider a plea deal in exchange for information implicating Rusty Sneiderman's widow in the murder????? Legal experts seem to agree, it is unlikely Andrea will ever face charges unless there is concrete evidence of her active involvement. Given the state has not charged her, apparently there is none. Adultery, if it occurred does, not equal criminal responsibility. And who knew, apparently knowing about a crime in advance and doing nothing to stop it does not make you criminally liable either. (not saying she did, just interesting)

I imagine closing arguments will begin this week, and a verdict won't be too far behind. Then comes Dateline, and the comes 48 hours, and then comes a baby in a baby carriage.....or something like that.

Apparently Hemy Neuman is not the only person obssessed with all things Sneiderman

My husband read my blog recently, and said, 'you know, I think you might be a little obsessed with this whole Sneiderman case'.
At first I was a little miffed, but this is because I get the most annoyed with someone or something said when it has a ring of truth for me. The old 'you spot it, you got it' type of thing!!!

So I unwillingly admitted the truth, I am obsessed with the Dunwoody murder trial of Hemy Neuman, the killer of Rusty Sneiderman. I mean, come on, what did he expect from a woman whose DVR records every Dateline and 48 Hours Mystery. This case has everything typically included in one of these shows.....Murder, Betrayal, Sex, and Drama, Drama, Drama mixed with a whole lot of crazy.

If you are following it at all, you know the Hemy Neuman trial has no short of crazy. And I am not just saying this because Hemy is pleading insanity. Unfortunately Andrea Sneiderman's attorney allowed his client to testify with what appears to be very little preparation, and she set a new bar for crazy.

Not only has she conveniently forgotten emails/texts between she and Mr. Neuman (1400 in 6 months). For those math challenged, that's 233/month, 8 per day, oh and double the amount she emailed/texted her husband.
Andrea also said she was uncomfortable with Hemy's advances but continued to travel with him, and texting/emailing him constantly..........

Add to this her testimony she first found out Rusty had been shot at the hospital around 11am, but somehow knew he'd been shot, and relayed this information to her husband's father and good friend(Shayna Citron) on her way to the hospital....what????

And then there was her bizarre behavior of hugging her dear friend Shayna in the courtroom after Shayna testified about the phone call. I remember thinking how big of Andrea realizing Shayna was clearly uncomfortable testifying against her friend. But then Shayna was called back to the stand to explain to the judge how after leaving the courtroom and Andrea's forgiving embrace, Shayna was then informed by Andrea they were no longer friends. Shayna said she tried to explain to Andrea she had to tell the truth, she was under oath. To which Andrea replied, well I've got to do what I've got to do too
C.R.A.Z.Y...............
All this drama and crazy, and Hemy's insanity defense had not even started....

Please do not misunderstand. I do not hold Andrea responsible for Hemy killing Rusty.
At this point there is no evidence she had anything to do with the planning of the murder of her husband. But I'd be lying if I said I believed her testimony thus far. She's being her own worst enemy if she had nothing to do with this because the answers she's given so far do not make a bit of sense given the evidence and other's testimony in the case.

If she did sleep with Hemy, fool around or only lead him on because she was desperate to feel connected to another person, she'd do Rusty a favor by telling the truth. Because if they did have an affair, and not an imaginary affair in Hemy's mind, she'd all but secure a guilty conviction with no insanity, providing justice for her husband.
Her denial of the affair is playing more into the hands of the defense......he's either imagined an affair and felt compelled to kill by his delusions or she's played the same cat and mouse game with him that she seems to have played on the witness stand, thus driving him to insanity......

Regardless of an affair between the two, I hope Hemy is found guilty of murder and spends the rest of his life in jail. And I hope this brings Rusty's family some form of comfort. Because, although I make light of this trial on my blog, it is a very very tragic situation for all involved.

And so my obsession continues.  I will read the coverage and attempt to summarize it here until the trial is over or until a Dateline/48 hours show is aired. Whichever comes first.
I hear admitting your problem is the first step!

R.I.P - Andrew Breitbart

If you don't know who Andrew Breitbart is, you should
You can find out more about him at Breitbart.com
He was a fearless pioneer in journalism, getting his start as an editor of the drudge report
He grew up in Hollywood, began life as a liberal and eventually switched over to 'the darkside' as many of us do as we grow up

He was a well respected journalist, by both liberal and conservatives and you may know him best for his sting operation of ACORN

He died today, at the age of 43. He will be missed.