Day care murder suspect Hemy Neuman found guilty, mentally ill

The man accused in a high-profile shooting outside a Dunwoody day care has been found guilty of malice murder, but mentally ill.

GA Daily News crews were at the Decatur courtroom where jurors handed down the verdict Thursday. GE Energy engineer Hemy Neuman admitted to killing Rusty Sneiderman, his co-worker’s husband, but pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. In addition to the murder conviction, he was also found guilty of a weapons charge.

Prosecutors said the shooting was fueled by Neuman’s affair with Sneiderman’s wife, Andrea. Neuman acknowledged the alleged relationship but said angels and demons told him the Sneiderman children were his own, and he needed to protect them.

Andrea Sneiderman, who was been the focus of much of trial, has denied the affair. She said though Neuman made advances toward her, she remained faithful to her husband. Her credibility has been called into question several times, including when witnesses said she alerted them of the shooting before authorities told her about it.

Andrea Sneiderman was barred from the courthouse after prosecutors said she had inappropriate contact with witnesses.

Doctors for the defense diagnosed Neuman as bipolar and delusional. They said he went through bouts of depression, first stemming from abuse suffered at the hands of his father.

But co-workers and expert witnesses for the prosecution said Neuman didn’t exhibit the behavior of someone who was mentally ill. A forensic psychologist said he was faking mental illness and knew right from wrong.

Sentencing is set for 3 p.m.