DeKalb investigates another Sneiderman relationship in case

Mark Niesse

Daily Report

11-19-2012

Prosecutors in Andrea Sneiderman's murder case are raising the possibility that she manipulated her boss into killing her husband so she could end up with a third man.

DeKalb County Chief Assistant District Attorney Don Geary said in court Friday that the theory is a "valid accusation" being investigated.

Geary said Sneiderman began a relationship with Joseph Dell—with whom she had been friends—shortly after her husband, Rusty Sneiderman, was murdered by Hemy Neuman on Nov. 18, 2010.

"Mr. Dell left his wife six months pregnant about six and a half months after the murder of Rusty. And, at that time, he openly took up a relationship with the defendant," Geary said.

Sneiderman is charged with malice murder on an accusation that she conspired with Neuman to kill Rusty Sneiderman and benefit from about $2 million in his life insurance money. Neuman was found guilty but mentally ill in March, and he's serving a life sentence.

"Evidence is starting to come up that might show that it was not for Mr. Neuman to be with her, but for someone else. Mr. Dell might be that someone else," Geary said.

Defense attorney Thomas Clegg called the accusation "fanciful" and "incredible."

"We do not expect, based on our understanding of the evidence, that there is going to be anything of consequence to show between herself and Mr. Dell prior to the death of her husband," Clegg said.

Prosecutors added Dell's name to their witness list, but Sneiderman's bond conditions prevent her from communicating with potential witnesses.

Superior Court Judge Gregory Adams said he would consider the issue.

Also Friday, Sneiderman's attorneys withdrew a request for her bond to be modified to permit her to visit her husband's grave site.

—Mark Niesse