Rusty Sneiderman’s brother, Steve Sneiderman, spoke exclusively to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution following Tuesday’s sentencing of his sister-in-law, Andrea Sneiderman, on charges of perjury and misleading police who were investigating Rusty Sneiderman’s murder. Steve Sneiderman, a Cleveland-based transactions attorney, discussed a variety of subjects pertaining to the case that just concluded and civil litigation yet to come.
On DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James’ decision to drop murder charges against Andrea Sneiderman on the eve of her trial:
“It was like Rusty being murdered all over again. One day we’re speaking to (prosecutor) Anna Cross about preparing for the trial, and the next day we get a phone call from Robert James saying he wasn’t going forward with the murder charges. The timing was horrific. We never really received any explanation as to why he made that decision.”
On the sentence handed down by DeKalb Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams, which Steve Sneiderman termed “shockingly light”:
“We were absolutely blindsided. Everyone I talked to said Judge Adams was tough as nails. I think the jury served justice, but Judge Adams disregarded that. It’s been a painful education into the justice system, and it really shakes my belief in the system down to my core.”
On Andrea Sneiderman’s plea for leniency:
“I’ll say this for her, she’s never deviated. Her statement was in line with our expectations.”
On the wrongful-death suit he’s filed, along with his parents, Don and Marilyn Sneiderman, against Andrea Sneiderman:
“There are questions that still need to be answered, and we intend to get those answers.”
On what his brother would think about all that’s transpired:
“I think Rusty would be dismayed by all the people who’ve betrayed him.”
On moving forward:
“We really haven’t had a chance to grieve because we’ve been in this ridiculous soap opera for nearly three years. We are a private family, so this whole process has been difficult for us.
On the defense impugning his father’s recollection about a phone call from Andrea Sneiderman the day of the shooting:
It was very hard to watch my father be cross-examined. The way my parents handled themselves through this whole ordeal is something, no matter who you believe, if you’re pro-Andrea or what. … They deserve everyone’s respect. I’ve never been prouder of them.
On the loss of DeKalb Assistant District Attorney Don Geary, the chief prosecutor in the Neuman trial, who accepted a similar position in Cobb County. Geary told the AJC recently that he disagreed with James’ decision to drop the murder charges:
We enjoyed a really strong working relationship with Don Geary. Not having him involved with this was tough. He was someone you could really count on.
Final thoughts:
I knew I had to fight for my brother, and we got some measure of justice for Rusty.
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