DeKalb County

Widow won't testify in Neuman retrial; Jurors view crime scene photos

DeKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The widow of a Dunwoody father killed outside of his son’s daycare will not testify in the admitted killer’s retrial, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Prosecutors allege Hemy Neuman was having an affair with Andrea Sneiderman and wanted her husband, Rusty, out of the picture, so that he could have her for himself.

A source tells Petchenik that even if Sneiderman were called, she would assert her 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination.

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During Neuman’s first trial, a combative Sneiderman vehemently denied having an affair with Neuman.

Another jury later convicted Sneiderman for perjury and she spent time in prison before being released. Sneiderman is appealing that conviction.

Atlanta Defense Attorney, Lawrence Zimmerman, who is not affiliated with the case, said Sneiderman’s testimony in this trial wouldn’t help either side.

"Andrea Sneiderman was charged with perjury and doesn't really add anything to the state's case,” he said.

Zimmerman said Sneiderman’s decision not to speak was likely a good one.

“It may not look good for her in the public eye, but from the vantage point, for someone worried about further charges or hurting her chances for appeal, it's probably a wise idea,” he said.

Tuesday, jurors heard more testimony that prosecutors hope will bolster their case that Neuman knew right from wrong when he allegedly gunned Sneiderman down, and that he methodically planned the attack.

Neuman’s defense attorneys argue he was insane at the time of the shooting, and the delusion he had to protect Sneiderman’s children from their father spurred him to allegedly commit the crime.

Two gun range owners testified Neuman practiced firing a weapon he’d purchased just days before the attack.

The manager of a Marietta rental car facility testified that Neuman was in a big hurry to rent the van police say he used to get away from the crime scene.

“He was fidgety,” Christina Gerrish testified.

Chris Lang testified he had just finished taking his daughter to a doctor’s appointment when he heard a pop, and realized someone was shooting.  He said he was just feet from Hemy Neuman as he fired several shots in Rusty Sneiderman.

“He was maybe 5 to 7 feet away, holding the gun down, shooting,” he said.

Lang testified Rusty Sneiderman was gasping for air. Jurors later saw crime scene photos of Sneiderman’s body, during which his family members covered their eyes to avoid seeing the grisly images.

Another witness held back tears as he described seeing Sneiderman bleeding to death.

“The victim was laying (sic) down on the ground, gasping and struggling to breathe,” Craig Kohlmeier testified.