An update from the trial today and I miss Rusty

9:39 a.m. Monday - When interviewing Hemy Neuman, Lt. Barnes says that Hemy said that "he had feelings for Andrea Sneiderman." But he denied having sexual relations with Mrs. Sneiderman.

This same guy told the real estate agent that he did have sexual relations with Andrea.

Hmmmm...my point is that this man cannot be trusted. However if I was a neutral party, I would think that his statement to the police should be more trusted than any comments that he made to his real estate agent.

I hope the media makes a point to mention this. I've been asked to come on several media outlets to speak on Andrea's behalf. I'm not doing so because I respect the privacy that Andrea and her family need. I am allowing all media outlets to use my blog for their website as this is my way of defending Andrea.

This is also something from Andrea's attorney this past weekend:

"Mrs. Sneiderman knew she was going to get beaten up on the witness stand," lawyer Seth Kirschenbaum said in a statement provided exclusively to the AJC. "[She] has always cooperated in this case, and she wanted to help the prosecution even if it meant being subjected to withering attack."

Andrea was very brave for subjecting herself to this but that's the type of person our Andrea is. She doesn't care what you think about her. She cares that this horrible man get sent to prison for the rest of his life so that no one else is ever subjected to his predatory actions.

Here is something that many of you may not know about Andrea:

During the funeral in which I gave a eulogy for my friend, Andrea was a mess. She could barely walk. I saw her cry. I saw the pain in her eyes. I saw the hurt. Andrea is a tough woman. She is a project manager so on trial you see a woman who wants to take control of the situation because that's how she's wired. Some people see the way she acts and immediately perceive that she's mean. That's not it at all. If you see her at home, you'll see a different picture. You'll see how much this trial and losing her husband has done to her. I've seen or heard her cry more than a dozen times I'm sure. I've seen all the pictures that she put around the house of her husband. She loved him and she was committed to him.

I have also had many people tell me that I don't know much of this story. Trust me, I do. My friend is innocent and I will continue to be by her side in this. I know how much she loved her husband. I saw it on many occasions - prior to and after his untimely death. There are a lot of people who back me on this as well. I hope they will make comments on my blog to support our friend.

This trial is dividing a community and it's a shame. I don't like the fact that there is one attorney in particular that is using this awful tragedy for her own selfish personal gain.

Two children lost a father. A wife lost a husband. Two parents lost a son. A brother lost his brother. Several children lost an uncle. And there are people like myself who lost a good friend. This is not an event to find your 15 minutes of fame.

Since my blog has picked up local and even national exposure, let me tell you about the man that was Rusty Sneiderman.

In order to repay me for dinner once, he fixed the gutter at our house.

Our conversations always ended with him saying, "How can I help you to further your career?" He was a very unselfish person who gave to so many charities and who made his friends feel like they always received his undivided attention.

He was the sponsorship chairman of our softball tournament and helped us to raise more money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. With Rusty's help, we've raised over $1.25 million in a dozen years.

He loved his wife and he adored his children. He was a great dad and husband.

He had a terrific sense of humor. He hated his Wii FIT because it told him he was out of shape for his age. He told me he couldn't understand what he was doing paying for a machine to tell him that he was obese and old.

We miss him every day and when this trial is over, his death will be avenged but all of us will still have lost out because we lost our Rusty.

Because he meant so much to me, I included a chapter about Rusty in my book The Drive at 35 (www.andylipman.com/books.cfm). If you want to learn more about the man that made me a better man and did so much for so many, please get a signed copy.

Please keep the Sneiderman family in your prayers specifically Andrea and her two beautiful children.

Andy

Speaking

I had a speech this Sunday morning at the Selig Center to a couple of hundred people. It went extremely well. I sold a few books and received a standing ovation at the end. I would say it was my best reception to date and I was proud to speak to caregivers and developmentally disabled individuals. There were a lot of true inspirations in that room.

I am off to Missouri soon for another speech at the University of Missouri. I'm looking forward to that speech as well.

I have been a bit consumed in the trial, but I'm also trying to not consume myself too much with it. It's difficult though knowing my friend is having to deal with so much. My blog has been put on many local and national websites so I've heard from several individuals in the media. I am declining all interviews out of respect for Andrea Sneiderman and her family. I will blog about the trial once a week so not to over-consume everyone with it. I know most of you are here to learn about my battle with cystic fibrosis.

I'm around day 45 now of P90X. I continue to see a difference in the way I look and the way I feel.

I hope all of you are well.

Andy

I'm behind Andrea Sneiderman, my friend!

So a friend of mine was hanging out at the lake the other day while my wife and her husband were on his boat racing across the lake. She and I had a good talk. We talked about how lucky we were to have met our soul mates and how great life truly was. We have joked at dinner many times. We have been to movies and parties together with our significant others, etc. This woman is a great mother and a great friend.

Andrea Sneiderman was that person who told me how lucky she was, she was referring to her soul mate Rusty Sneiderman, and this relaxing time at the lake was the summer of 2010, just a few months before Rusty was murdered. This same Andrea Sneiderman is being burned at the stake the first 2 days of a trial which is supposed to be about the fact that she lost her soul mate to an evil villain, a murder in which SHE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH. I have gotten texts and e-mails asking me if I still support her and if I'm ok. This isn't about me so I am ok. Do I still support my friend? I have one answer: YES!

I believe Andrea and I believe in Andrea. She is a good person. I'm honestly wondering how trusting these "witnesses" are. I wonder why there's been nothing to talk about their pasts. You know why there's been no discussion about their backgrounds? That's because the prosecution and defense have an agenda. They want to paint a picture of a "cheating" wife and an adoring lover. They want to make a movie for "Lifetime." Life isn't TV though. Sometimes it's much simpler. Andrea has no one to defend her up there and that just doesn't seem right. Today she even got thrown out of court for "hugging the witnesses after their testimony." Are you kidding me? I'm here to defend her. Court is now in session. I'm presiding.

Let's look at a few things first.

1. On the news, they had someone analyze Andrea's testimony and they surmised that Andrea is most likely telling the truth. I appreciate the media for doing this type of analysis.
2. The real estate agent is the one that this guy was telling all his "sexual" stuff to? How screwed up is that? She wore her real estate tag on the stand. She mentioned that "referrals" are what she loves. Is this a witness that we can really hedge our bets on? I have no ill will towards her. I'm sure she said what she remembered BUT she was listening to some delusional killer. Who do you believe? A crazy killer or Andrea? Duh!
3. The bartender - she's a bartender and she is expected to remember specific things from more than a few months earlier about two people who she could care less about remembering at the time. That's ridiculous. She can’t remember how many drinks they had but can remember all other details. And she has a receipt to refer back to and she still doesn’t remember. Again, I'm not saying anything bad about the bartender but I find it hard to believe that she can remember something specific like this happening especially when these 2 people mattered to her as much as 2 people mattered to me that drove past me in traffic today.
4. The timeline is completely off in this case. The jurors actually requested to see it again. That should tell you something.
5. She called her boss several minutes after she found out something happened to Rusty. Put yourself in her shoes. Something happens to a family member and you have to leave the office and it is really bad. Of course you call your boss and try him till you reach him.
6. If the defense and prosecution has found every single e-mail between Andrea and Hemy, WHY then do I ask you is there NOT A SINGLE E-MAIL where Andrea shares "romantic" feelings with Hemy. Every single e-mail I've seen that has any romance in it was brought on by Hemy and there has been no "passionate" reciprocating from Andrea.
7. This case is NOT about Andrea Sneiderman. She was not charged nor will she be charged in this case. Andrea is innocent. I defend her and I don't care what anyone says, I always will. I stake my reputation on my friend and will continue to. When the going gets rough, friends stick by their friends.

Andrea has been totally cooperative with the police and look where that has gotten her. Let me tell you briefly about another case somewhat similar to this one. After Leiby Kletzky was murdered in NY, the mother of the murdered child did not speak to the media. When commenting about why she wasn’t speaking out, that mother replied “I already lost one son. It is very important to my family privacy that I shouldn’t lose the rest of my family’s regular life. I just want to continue with regular life to the extent that it is possible given the extent of this horrific and impossible loss. “ Andrea shares this same principle.

She did not have anything to do with the murder of her husband. I repeat: She had nothing to do with the murder of her husband. That is ALL that should matter. All of you saw a stoic faced and some would say "angry" Andrea on the stand. First off, I know Andrea and that face was "defiance." She knows she didn't do this and she also is frustrated that she is being accused of hurting the love of her life. When you're not guilty of something and someone accuses you, wouldn't you be pissed? People say she doesn't play the victim. That's right. That's not her style. She's not going to act up there. She has had her victim moments. Believe me. I have witnessed so many.

What you didn't see, what the cameras have not shown you was that same "defiant" person put her hands to her face and ball for several minutes when they brought out a similar weapon to the one that killed her husband. What the media didn't show you was how devastated she was at Shiva and at the hospital after her husband died. What the media didn't show you was all of the work she has put in to make sure her husband will be remembered - with her help, The Wish for Wendy Softball Challenge has an entire sponsorship program named after her husband. What the media didn't show you was Andrea gleaming with pride when her daughter told me "Thank you for talking about my dad in your book." That person did not commit any crime. That person is not cold and calculated like these attorneys are trying to make her look.

This trial is about Hemy Neuman and this trial is about Rusty Sneiderman. Hemy took Rusty's life and deserves to go to prison forever. That's the bottom line. Hemy Neuman took away a father, a son, a brother, a husband and a friend. Hemy Neuman divided so many people. Hemy Neuman knew right from wrong otherwise he would not have hid from Rusty the first time he stalked him in his yard. Hemy Neuman would not have bought a disguise or attempt to bribe the previous gun owner if he did not know right from wrong. Hemy Neuman needs to rot in prison.

Back to this trial, I'm sick of the vultures who are going to the media like these people with cameras are dead carcasses on the side of the road. I speak of one lawyer in particular who has been trying to sensationalize this case from the beginning. She has been making a small commotion in the courtroom whenever my friend's reputation has been tarnished. She has been looking for the Today Show and Good Morning America like she was in the desert and these two shows were the last two drinks of water on the planet. I've actually seen and heard that this same person has been asking "How did I look on the Today Show?" This woman has had little to nothing to do with this case. She has been admonished several times. I refuse to mention her name on this blog. She knows who she is and most of you know who she is if you've been watching the national news. Heck, if I mention her, she might ask how she looked in my blog. This woman is taking joy in how "she looks" during a trial in which a horrible tragedy took place.

You know who you are and I'm talking to you. Leave my friend alone. Do your job and support your client. Your client has nothing to do with this case anymore and so guess what? Neither do you. I'm begging shows like Today to have some ethics and stop putting her in front of the camera. I've respectfully said "no" to the media as have several of my friends. People like this woman give lawyers a bad name. My dad is an attorney as are many of my friends. I respect what they do. I want my kids to see what a good attorney looks like. I want them to learn about ethics. Ma’am, get off the TV so I can let my kids watch again. Until then, we'll focus on The Disney Channel although truly, you're the one, madam attorney, who looks like GOOFY.

I am done writing. My friend Andrea needs some PR help. I'm doing my part. I ask my friends, her friends, to help give her that. She's a good person. She's a strong woman (not the bitch that the media is making her out to be). This case is about the man who killed one of my best friends. I ask that the defense and prosecution remember that starting tomorrow morning. Avenge my friend's death. Rusty Sneiderman was one of my best friends. He was a great man. Being a great man, he knew how to find a great woman. He did. That woman is Andrea Sneiderman. I try in my heart to honor Rusty every day through speaking out about great causes and through fundraising. I know Rusty would want me to do what I think is right at this time. And in my heart, defending my friend feels right. I'm hoping many others will too.

Andrea, I love you and I support you and I am here for you regardless of what people say about you and regardless of what people say about me for supporting you. That's how I treat my friends. That's how you've always treated your friends and I have never forgotten that and I have never forgotten our conversation at the lake.

Live your dreams and love your life!

Andy

The Sneiderman Trial Day 2

I'm here for day 2 of the trial. I can't comment on the case but I'm proud of Andrea. She's been amazing. This place is a media circus. I feel like I'm at the Super Bowl as far as all of the media trucks here. Thanks for all of the emails and texts checking on me. Keep the family in your prayers please.

Andy

Losing peers, going to trial and dealing with depression

Last Thursday was a tough day. I was doing some research on 2 people I hadn't talked to since I wrote my first book Alive at 25. I did some research on both Kathy Waldo, a Northeastern hockey player with CF, who was so strong and so determined. I loved the fact that we had the competitive sports side in common. At the time, both of us were doing pretty well with our CF. Jason Rossow was the other guy. He worked for the Charlotte Hornets before they moved to New Orleans. Thursday I realized that both died - Jason in 2001 and Kathy in 2009. Knowing that I have the same disease that killed them kind of scares me since we were all in about the same condition the last time we spoke more than 10 years ago.

This week I will be attending Rusty's murder trial. I'm there to support my friend Andrea and also to see that the man who killed my friend never is released from prison. My Andrea would be there except that she is a witness and therefore cannot see any of the testimony. I pray that the entire Sneiderman family will be provided with some type of closure when this is over but I'm sure it never gets easier especially with the loss of such an amazing father, son, husband, brother, friend and man.

So yes, I'm a bit down right now. I hasten to use the word depressed because I know that word can bring a panic to those people around me. I'm fine. I'm just dealing with some tough subjects. I think I'm also a bit down because I'm 3/4 of the way through my TOBI aerosol and I'm just exhausted. I'm still doing P90X and continue to stay around 179 pounds which is about 8 pounds less than where I was two months ago. I can really see a difference in how I look and I can feel a difference when I run and work out.

We went to a function at the Georgia Aquarium for the Atlanta Gene Screen which asks people to get screened so that genetic diseases can be prevented in our children (Picture of Andrea and I attached - she looks amazing, huh?). It was a top-notch event and I was proud of my sister and her boutique Raw Denim for taking part in the fashion show. Incidentally, my sister has been chosen to be on the reality show "Most Eligible Atlanta" on Bravo. I believe the series begins in March or April. Good luck Em!

Also at the Gene Screen, I was inspired by the entire Gold family especially Randy Gold who talked about his and his family's dealings with the genetic disease that has severely affected their beautiful daughter Eden. I definitely want to help out in future years.

We celebrated Avery's birthday last week. I can't believe she's already six. Time sure flies. I'm so proud of the little lady that she has become. She also donated canned foods to the Atlanta Food Bank that her friends brought to her birthday party. I can't take credit for that idea. That was Andrea's and it was a great one.

I hope everyone else is well. I don't know that I'll be blogging from the trial so I will talk to everyone on Thursday.

Andy
p.s. Please keep Andrea and the entire Sneiderman family in your prayers.

Happy Birthday Avery!

Happy Birthday to my 6 year old beautiful girl today. It was 6 years ago today that I received the greatest miracle of my life. Avery is turning into a beautiful little girl. She and Andrea are going to the food bank today to take canned goods to those who can really use them. I'm proud of Andrea for thinking of that idea as she has Avery's friends bring canned goods to her birthday so that Avery can realize how truly LUCKY she is. We are lucky too, sweetie.

Avery, we love you. Happy Birthday.

Love,

Daddy

P90X - Day 24 complete

I am 24 days into the 90 day P90X routine. I must say that I can see a difference in my core and even a little bit in my flexibility. I would recommend this routine to others. If you've never heard of it, P90X is a 40 minute or so workout that practices confusing your muscles. I'm still running, swimming and biking weekly but I'm doing P90X 7 days a week.

My health continues to improve. I am off of antibiotics and I feel very strong.

I'm also considering doing another video to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis. My thought was to do a video showing the routine a CF patient must go through on a day-to-day basis. I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts.

I hope that everyone is well.

Andy

And so it begins...

Today begins the trial into the murder of my friend Rusty Sneiderman here in Atlanta. I do plan to attend the trial but not until after the jury selection which goes on this week.

I have had various media sources asking me to comment on the case but I have declined so far. I did send out a note about my book since the FDA approved a major drug for cystic fibrosis. Sadly, none of these same media participants even responded. It's sad when the media generally prefers to cover bad news and not potentially great news. I guess that's the world we live in but it's a shame. I think inspiring stories touch people's lives and it's sad that the media doesn't agree with that.

Anyway, Rusty's entire family is in my thoughts today and for the next several weeks. He was a great man who should still be here today spending time with his wife and children.

I hope all of you are well.

Andy

Thank you Michael J. Fox

Thanks to Michael J. Fox, my son has 1,929 skittles. Let me explain.

Back to the Future is one of my favorite movies and it starred Michael J. Fox. In the third installment (which I admit was not that good), they go back to 1885. For some reason, that number stuck in my head when I was at Donuts with Dads at Ethan's school and we were putting in guesses for a jar of skittles. I put in one guess at 1885. Andrea laughed at me and told me that was not going to be close and that I should have said around 1,000 which most of the dads did. I later found out that the dads put in multiple guesses so my one guess probably had no chance. We all know where this is going, right?

This morning I received the following picture from Andrea when she picked up Ethan saying "I will never doubt you again."

I was so excited when I talked to Ethan until he said "Daddy, I have a jar of M&M's!" I said "Buddy, they're skittles." He said in a more determined voice, "No, daddy! They are M&M's!" I decided since I won the jar, I'll leave it up to Andrea to let him down gently. Honey, we're even.

I hope all of you are well.

Andy

My health

Hey Everyone,

I hope that you're well. I've been working hard of late to get my health back where it needs to be. I've been doing more treatments, going in a little later to work and working on a new exercise program.

First off, I've been taking antibiotics twice a day, I've been doing my chest therapy 10 minutes longer at night. I've also been on TOBI so that adds another 40 minutes both in the morning and at night. It's funny. I was thinking about this the other day. While Ethan does not have CF, he does almost everything a person with CF does. He sits with me the whole time while I do my therapy and work out (Of course we play X-Box together so that helps). He brings me my pill bottle (child-lock but he never tries to open it anyway as he understands it's daddy's meds). He really helps me because I never feel that lonely feeling anymore in the mornings when I do my treatments.

I also started a new workout routine and am sixteen days in (I've attached a picture of my increased muscle mass). I'm not one to brag about anything but I am proud of the fact that I can attain this kind of strength especially when the image of someone with CF is generally skinny. Heck, I had arms like toothpicks in college. I am now a member of Beach Body or as you may know it, P90X. I watch the videos and work out with Tony, the instructor on TV. It's tough but I can already see a difference. When I got back from my cruise at the end of December, I was up to 188 pounds. This morning, I weighed myself and I weigh 179 pounds. I've changed my diet to going from 2,000 calories a day to 1,500. I'm trying to avoid protein bars during the day and I'm also drinking whey protein once or twice a day. I'm no longer stuffed up. I'm still running, biking and swimming at the gym. I've also added situps to the mix. I'm definitely faster than I've been in a long time. I'm hoping my increased speed will be an asset when softball season begins in March.

My health is something that is not easy to keep strong BUT it's worth it. There was a big breakthrough this week on the drug Kalydeco which will help some CF patients. There are more drugs that are coming out and some will help me. I can't afford to be sick and not allow myself to take advantage of these breakthroughs.

I hope everyone else is doing well.

Andy