Psychologist: Hemy Neuman not criminally responsible for death

Attoeys for Hemy Neuman, accused of gunning down Rusty Sneiderman as he was dropping off his son at a Dunwoody daycare in November 2010, continued their defense on Thursday.

A forensic psychologist took the stand on Thursday, explaining why Neuman is not criminally liable for Rusty Sniederman's murder. Dr. Adriana Flores, on the stand for nearly 2 1/2 hours, says Neuman was manic, dillusional, and dealing with bouts of depression. She says he didn't know right from wrong at the time of the crime. 

"The symptom that caused him the most distress was depression, said Flores. 

Flores was hired by defense attoeys to evaluate Hemy Neuman’s stability in November 2010.

Flores says she met the accused killer in June 2011 and says after a thorough evaluation, she determined he was suffering from depression, bi-polar disorder, and delusion.

"He believed that he was the father of her children and that his children were in danger...and that he was going to protect them by killing Mr. Sneiderman and he would then afterwards be with what he calls his family," said Flores.

She says Neuman also admitted he planned Sneiderman’s murder and tried to cover it up. But she says Neuman’s mental health issues prove he is not criminally responsible for the murder.

”Mr. Neuman did not have the mental capacity to distinguish between right and wrong in relation to the shooting, said Flores.

Flores also says Neuman told her that with Rusty Sneiderman gone he could marry the victim’s widow, Andrea. But she says he never wanted the widow to know he killed her husband.

Jurors leaed that Flores was to be called as an expert witness for the prosecution, but her expertise had already been booked for the defense.

The trial is scheduled to resume Friday moing.