GUILTY GA - Rusty Sneiderman shot to death at Dunwoody preschool, 18 Nov 2010 #1

[octobermoon]

oh shoot, I messed up that post. but that was one of the bestest bestest Mrs. I ever saw.

 

[angelmom]

Well, the jury said he was NOT insane - InSession actually posted incorrectly on their facebook page " Hemy Neumann was found guilty but insane in the daycare murder trial" He was NOT found insane, he was found mentally ill. There is a difference IMHO. :waitasec: It was my understanding that if he was "insane" he would NOT be responsible....ergo the option of Not Guilty due to the reason of insanity verdict. Being mentally ill is different as I understand it. But I don't know the law in GA as to what the difference in the sentence would be of NGInsane vs. NGMI Can someone clarify / help me understand? TIA

Those are not the choices. The choices were:

Not Guilty - he didn't do it and is therefore not responsible. pretty much impossible since they admitted he did it

Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity - he did it, but he did not know right from wrong and is not responsible

Guilty but Mentally Ill - he did it, he's mentally ill, but he knew right from wrong and is responsible for the crime

Guilty - he did it and is responsible


The difference in sentencing is this:

NG - he's free forever

NGI - he is not responsible. He goes to a state mental facility where, after as little as 30 days, he can request a hearing about his danger to himself and others. If he is found not to be a danger (which the state has already said is the case, at least due to mental illness) he would be released.

GBMI - he goes to prison but would receive treatment for mental illness while there, if they have the doctors and the money - IOW, get in line. Again, since the state has testified that he is not mentally ill, he would probably get no treatment at all. This has no impact on the sentence EXCEPT that he could not receive the death penalty. Since that was not sought by the DA, it has no impact on this case. The sentencing options for the judge were LWOP or Life with the possibility of parole after 30 years.

Guilty - he goes to prison for either LWOP or Life with the possibility of parole after 30 years.


Personally I think there were a few jurors stuck on the mental illness thing and the rest didn't care because it would not change the outcome. He's in prison for at least 30 years either way. While I don't agree that he's mentally ill, I'm quite happy with this verdict and sentence. All I have to do is think back to July to realize that this is justice.

 

[Minette]

oh shoot, I messed up that post. but that was one of the bestest bestest Mrs. I ever saw.

Haha, thanks, but you started it! Then I figured I had better get my dibs in before that licking cow woman came in and started poaching our imaginary
husbands.

Angelmom, excellent post! I'm happy with the LWOP part too, it's just that I worry about whether the GBMI verdict gives the DT a wedge to work with on appeal. On the other hand, my imaginary husband Judge Adams did not seem to be giving them any judicial error to work with, so maybe that will not be a concern.

Also, having read the article in the AJC my heart is breaking for Rusty's children. To lose their dad in that horrible way and then to be kept away from their loving grandparents. They must be so lost and bewildered.

 

[overtherainbow]

For those who are local "The Dunwoody Daycare Killing" will air at 8pm on 11 alive, then at 10 pm the Dateline episode. There is a courtroom preview for dateline at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/

 

[Minette]

Scrutiny now focuses on victim's widow:

http://www.ajc.com/news/cobb/dunwoody-day-care-shooting-1387340.html

One very interesting snippet from this article:

Neuman will remain at the DeKalb Jail awaiting transfer to the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, said defense attorney Bob Rubin.

Until then, any decision on whether Neuman will be placed under suicide watch would be made by William Brickhouse, the jail's mental health director who testified last week that he neither thought Neuman was bipolar nor took a previous suicide threat seriously.

I think for all practical purposes the result of this sentence will be exactly the same as if the verdict had been a straightforward guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, period.

 

[Minette]

Transcript and video of Hemy Neuman's statement during the sentencing hearing: http://www.wsbradio.com/news/news/local/hemy-neuman-speaks/nLTtd/

Notice that he never actually takes personal responsibility, and also that he says that Andrea 'should not have have had to bury (Rusty)'. I consider this a subtle dig at Rusty, BBM:

I do not think that anyone feels that anybody won here -- everybody lost. I hadn't written this down but a lot of what Mr. Sneiderman said about Rusty is true. ...it is...

So which parts did the murderer think weren't true then?? Grrrrrrr!

 

[*LD*]

Video of everyone's favorite judge sentencing HN.
It's pretty powerful to see this really nice, funny man use such words.
I will miss you Gregory Adams. . .

Hemy Neuman sentenced to life without parole - YouTube

 

[fran]

Just in case you aren't able to watch videos, the link below has a transcript of Rusty's brother Steven's statement to the court. There is an actual video of his statement, but also the transcript.

I feel so sorry for this family. They really loved Rusty. This was such an senseless crime.

fran


http://www.ajc.com/news/dunwoody-day-care-murder-1386554.html

Your Honor:

I am Steven Sneiderman, Rusty Sneiderman's brother. I am here today to speak on behalf of my parents, Marilyn and Donald Sneiderman, my wife Lisa, my daughter Samantha and, especially, Rusty's children Sophia and Ian.

We appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today and share with the Court the impact this crime has had on our family.

During our investigation and the trial, my mother has repeatedly asked me, "When is this about Rusty?" Unfortunately, I have been forced to explain to her this trial was really not about him. As a lawyer, I understand why that is so, but now it is important for you to know a little more about Rusty and why his murder and the subsequent loss of him from our lives is so devastating. There have been so many lies told to this court about Rusty, even to the extent of the defense shamefully equating my brother's life with that of this killer. So let's set the record straight:

*Rusty was a good provider -- Rusty achieved great success at every level of his education, from BHS to IU to HBS. His focus on achievement was to provide the very best for his family, which he did every day of his life. Attempts to characterize him as not providing properly for his family in this case are extremely hurtful and false. He had limitless potential which now can never be realized, because of that man.

full article at link .................. http://www.ajc.com/news/dunwoody-day-care-murder-1386554.html

 

[BrownRice]

Just in case you aren't able to watch videos, the link below has a transcript of Rusty's brother Steven's statement to the court. There is an actual video of his statement, but also the transcript.

I feel so sorry for this family. They really loved Rusty. This was such an senseless crime.

fran


http://www.ajc.com/news/dunwoody-day-care-murder-1386554.html

Your Honor:

I am Steven Sneiderman, Rusty Sneiderman's brother. I am here today to speak on behalf of my parents, Marilyn and Donald Sneiderman, my wife Lisa, my daughter Samantha and, especially, Rusty's children Sophia and Ian.

We appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today and share with the Court the impact this crime has had on our family.

During our investigation and the trial, my mother has repeatedly asked me, "When is this about Rusty?" Unfortunately, I have been forced to explain to her this trial was really not about him. As a lawyer, I understand why that is so, but now it is important for you to know a little more about Rusty and why his murder and the subsequent loss of him from our lives is so devastating. There have been so many lies told to this court about Rusty, even to the extent of the defense shamefully equating my brother's life with that of this killer. So let's set the record straight:

*Rusty was a good provider -- Rusty achieved great success at every level of his education, from BHS to IU to HBS. His focus on achievement was to provide the very best for his family, which he did every day of his life. Attempts to characterize him as not providing properly for his family in this case are extremely hurtful and false. He had limitless potential which now can never be realized, because of that man.

full article at link .................. http://www.ajc.com/news/dunwoody-day-care-murder-1386554.html

Interesting and poignant how Steve does not address Rusty as being a good husband (not that he wasn't, but it was purposeful to leave AS out of this). And I love how he referred to AS as HN's "lover."

What a waste. RS sounds like a truly fantastic man and I'm sure his community lost a lot with his death. I was taken by the sincerity of HN's statement to the court - he seemed very remorseful. Except for the fact he committed this horrible crime, he comes across as a great guy. It's too bad he got sucked into some type of crazy web by AS.

 

[OneLove]

Interesting and poignant how Steve does not address Rusty as being a good husband (not that he wasn't, but it was purposeful to leave AS out of this). And I love how he referred to AS as HN's "lover."

What a waste. RS sounds like a truly fantastic man and I'm sure his community lost a lot with his death. I was taken by the sincerity of HN's statement to the court - he seemed very remorseful. Except for the fact he committed this horrible crime, he comes across as a great guy. It's too bad he got sucked into some type of crazy web by AS.

I don't think you can "get sucked in" to anywhere you do not want to go. No matter what AS did or did not do, did or did not say, she did NOT pull the trigger. Blame her for bad behavior, yes, but I'm bumfoggled at people blaming her for the MURDER itself. If I was having an affair and my lover pressured me in any way to murder his wife, you don't think I would run as fast as I could away? Wouldn't you? Wouldn't almost all people? But not Hemy.

When my EX husband was messing around with one of his college students I was always amazed at the people who thought I should blame HER. :what: HE was the one that made the decision and took the actions. No matter WHAT she did, he is the one who chose his course.

Responsibity for one's OWN actions is life. When a child is caught with his hand in the cookie jar, whether another child told him to do it or not is moot. The saying my mother raised me on is "and if someone told you to jump in the fire, would you do that too?".

 

[westie mom]

Anyone in ATL as disappointed in 11Alive's anemic attempt at a "blockbuster review" of the case as I was??? Thankfully, the pros at the national level start soon, but I'll be interested to see how they "package" things!!

Sorry I've been out of touch the past couple of weeks...business stuff and add a couple of family calamaties to the mix, and I think y'all get the picture!! THANK YOU to all who provided the great updates during trial...it was AWESOME to leave a hospital room for a respite break, and get totally caught up on the trial happenings!!

Oh, I heard something on WSB radio as I was driving in last night that I've seen nowhere in print, nor in any of the post-verdict coverage. Reporter Jon Lewis, who is HIGHLY regarded for his ethics and credibility in this town, reported that he's been informed by a most reliable source that AS made her first "gee, the sketch could be Hemy" comment 2 DAYS after she INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED THAT THE $2M INSURANCE CHECKS WERE NOT ONLY IN HER ACCOUNT, BUT HAD CLEARED THE ACCOUNTS THEY WERE DRAWN ON...Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot????? I've ALWAYS been bothered by the life insurance and the speed with which she filed her claim(s), but this just puts a whole other face of PURE EVIL on that (*&^%$@!!!

Oops, the "real" Dateline is starting...

Westie Mom

 

[katydid23]

I would love to see AS charged in this but I don't see that there would be any evidence that she took part. I think she encouraged her sick puppy lover to do the murder, but I bet she covered her tracks legally. I wish the kids could be kept out of her control though. She doesn't deserve to have them, imo.

 

[BrownRice]

I don't think you can "get sucked in" to anywhere you do not want to go. No matter what AS did or did not do, did or did not say, she did NOT pull the trigger. Blame her for bad behavior, yes, but I'm bumfoggled at people blaming her for the MURDER itself. If I was having an affair and my lover pressured me in any way to murder his wife, you don't think I would run as fast as I could away? Wouldn't you? Wouldn't almost all people? But not Hemy.

When my EX husband was messing around with one of his college students I was always amazed at the people who thought I should blame HER. :what: HE was the one that made the decision and took the actions. No matter WHAT she did, he is the one who chose his course.

Responsibity for one's OWN actions is life. When a child is caught with his hand in the cookie jar, whether another child told him to do it or not is moot. The saying my mother raised me on is "and if someone told you to jump in the fire, would you do that too?".

You're right. He is 100% responsible and should be in prison for the rest of his life. I guess my point (that didn't come across clearly) was had he never met AS, he'd probably still be working at GE living a "normal" life (without hearing voices of Barry White and ONJ). But oh well. He did it, she has never been arrested/convicted of anything.

 

[angelmom]

I don't think you can "get sucked in" to anywhere you do not want to go. No matter what AS did or did not do, did or did not say, she did NOT pull the trigger. Blame her for bad behavior, yes, but I'm bumfoggled at people blaming her for the MURDER itself. If I was having an affair and my lover pressured me in any way to murder his wife, you don't think I would run as fast as I could away? Wouldn't you? Wouldn't almost all people? But not Hemy.

When my EX husband was messing around with one of his college students I was always amazed at the people who thought I should blame HER. :what: HE was the one that made the decision and took the actions. No matter WHAT she did, he is the one who chose his course.

Responsibity for one's OWN actions is life. When a child is caught with his hand in the cookie jar, whether another child told him to do it or not is moot. The saying my mother raised me on is "and if someone told you to jump in the fire, would you do that too?".

I agree that HN is responsible. My blame of Andrea is not because she was a "bad girl" (although she broke the same vows Hemy did, IMHO) but because I suspect that she knew a lot more about this beforehand than can be proven so far.

 

[Anadarko]

Anyone in ATL as disappointed in 11Alive's anemic attempt at a "blockbuster review" of the case as I was??? Thankfully, the pros at the national level start soon, but I'll be interested to see how they "package" things!!

Sorry I've been out of touch the past couple of weeks...business stuff and add a couple of family calamaties to the mix, and I think y'all get the picture!! THANK YOU to all who provided the great updates during trial...it was AWESOME to leave a hospital room for a respite break, and get totally caught up on the trial happenings!!

Oh, I heard something on WSB radio as I was driving in last night that I've seen nowhere in print, nor in any of the post-verdict coverage. Reporter Jon Lewis, who is HIGHLY regarded for his ethics and credibility in this town, reported that he's been informed by a most reliable source that AS made her first "gee, the sketch could be Hemy" comment 2 DAYS after she INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED THAT THE $2M INSURANCE CHECKS WERE NOT ONLY IN HER ACCOUNT, BUT HAD CLEARED THE ACCOUNTS THEY WERE DRAWN ON...Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot????? I've ALWAYS been bothered by the life insurance and the speed with which she filed her claim(s), but this just puts a whole other face of PURE EVIL on that (*&^%$@!!!

Oops, the "real" Dateline is starting...

Westie Mom

Hi Westie Mom,

Hope things are getting better for you.

I was listening to that same Jon Lewis interview coming home from work the other night, and I heard what he said about the timing! OMG. AS didn't waste much time in getting the money, and THEN saying the sketch looked like HN. Wow!

Watched Dateline last night. Thought they did a good job of telling the story. I didn't watch the local 11alive show, but it sounds like I didn't miss anything....

 

[angelmom]

Was anyone else as shocked as me to realize how badly HN has aged during this?

When I first saw the sketch compared to HN back when this happened, I thought AS was obviously involved since she didn't recognize her boss. Then, last night, when they showed the sketch again, I thought "how would she have recognized him? That looks nothing like him!"

Until they showed photos of HN at the time of the arrest. And it really is a very good sketch.

I have gotten so used to HN as he looks now/during the trial! Wow.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

I'm so mad at myself - I fell asleep last night ten minutes before the Dateline airing!!

Can someone please explain something I am totally confused on? How can the prosecutor or DA state in court that AS was a co-conspirator in this crime and then not charge her?

(I sure hope the Dateline episode is available online soon!)

 

[Minette]

I agree that HN is responsible. My blame of Andrea is not because she was a "bad girl" (although she broke the same vows Hemy did, IMHO) but because I suspect that she knew a lot more about this beforehand than can be proven so far.

YET: http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-d-a-strong-1387973.html

James said she was not charged along with Neuman because "I have to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt," he said.

"If I thought we had enough evidence, she'd have been sitting right next to him," he told the AJC.

Now, it appears, Andrea Sneiderman's own testimony may have provided prosecutors with that evidence.

"There were things she said on the stand ... it was the first time she had ever said those things," DeKalb Chief Deputy District Attorney Don Geary said.

 

[Vhead]

I watched both dateline and 20/20 re this case and I'm absolutely sickened by Andrea Sneiderman. Her affect is more than a little disturbing.




Sent from my iPhone

 

[Vhead]

I'm so mad at myself - I fell asleep last night ten minutes before the Dateline airing!!

Can someone please explain something I am totally confused on? How can the prosecutor or DA state in court that AS was a co-conspirator in this crime and then not charge her?

(I sure hope the Dateline episode is available online soon!)

I just watched the dateline ep online from my iPhone. It was better than 20/20 I thought


Sent from my iPhone