The brother of Rusty Sneiderman on Friday filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his sister-in-law, alleging that she conspired to kill her husband in front of a Dunwoody day care facility in November 2010.
Hemy Neuman, convicted of Sneiderman's murder two months ago, is also named in the civil action, filed Friday in Fulton County Superior Court on behalf of Steve Sneiderman. According to the suit, Andrea Sneiderman "utilized her illicit relationship with her co-conspirator [Neuman] to manipulate and influence him to murder Rusty Sneiderman."
In a statement, Andrea Sneiderman's attorneys blasted her brother-in-law for "attempting to try [their client] in the media."
"We look forward to vigorously representing her in a court of law where, for the first time, she will have the opportunity to tell her side of the story," said Doug Chalmers, one of three lawyers now serving on Andrea Sneiderman's defense team.
The 35-year-old mother of two was given the chance to share her version of events during Neuman's trial, though most legal observers concluded she did herself more harm than good. Sneiderman denied ever having an affair with Neuman, her former supervisor at GE Energy, despite evidence linking the two romantically.
She also testified that she did not learn that her husband had been shot until she arrived at Atlanta Medical Center. Later, the widow's former best friend Shayna Citron and father-in-law Don Sneiderman both testified that Andrea called and told them Rusty had been shot -- before she had arrived at the hospital.
According to the wrongful death suit, Andrea "knew that her co-conspirator intended to kill Rusty Sneiderman." The suit also alleges she "actively and knowingly participated in the murder and the planning of the murder."
“We categorically deny each and every one of the allegations in the complaint filed today," said former DeKalb County District Attorney J. Tom Morgan, recently hired by Sneiderman, along with his former chief assistant D.A., John Petrey, to assist in her defense. "We are looking forward to a vigorous and complete defense to ensure that Andrea is fully exonerated of these false accusations."
The allegations have dogged Sneiderman since the trial of her former boss. Prosecutors and defense attorneys alike claimed she was involved in her husband's death. In his closing argument, Neuman attorney Doug Peters said that, while his client may have held the gun that killed Rusty Sneiderman "the trigger was pulled ... by Andrea."
Meanwhile, one day after a jury found Neuman guilty, sentencing him to life in prison without parole, DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "We have strong beliefs about Mrs. Sneiderman’s involvement."
But James has yet to charge Sneiderman. Last month, a DeKalb County grand jury subpoenaed Channel 2 Action News for the entirety of Andrea's testimony given during Neuman's trial, leading many to believe an indictment was imminent.
That decision, however, remains "under review," according to the D.A.
"We took the step today of filing a wrongful death action to protect the interests of Rusty’s children for which he worked every day of his life to provide, to protect Rusty’s legacy by making sure the truth about the circumstances surrounding his death are publicly disclosed and to try to bring closure, once and for all, to all of the issues that continue to haunt us," the Sneiderman family said in a statement. "Our family will never stop pursuing justice for Rusty."
The Sneidermans and Andrea have been at odds ever since Neuman was arrested and charged with Rusty's murder in January 2011. In an exclusive interview with the AJC following Neuman's trial, Rusty's father, Don Sneiderman, said his daughter in-law "knew in advance" of the fatal shooting.
Don Sneiderman and his wife, Marilyn, are currently embroiled in a legal battle over visitation rights to see their grandchildren, ages 6 and 3.
Steve Sneiderman's suit seeks to protect financial assets "for the benefit of the children's future," said plaintiff's attorney Bill Ballard. "[Steve Sneiderman] is not seeking a penny in this lawsuit."
Sneiderman's widow received a $2 million life insurance settlement after her husband's death.
Morgan said his client was "disappointed Steven Sneiderman would file a complaint, supposedly to benefit Andrea’s children, when all he is now doing is forcing Andrea to incur legal fees that will, at the end of the day, simply take money out of the children’s pockets.”
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