Nima Momeni found guilty in killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee
Nima Momeni was found guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee, the verdict of a San Francisco jury after seven days of deliberations ruling.
The second-degree murder charge carries a penalty of 15 years to life in prison, with an enhanced penalty for using a knife to commit the crime. Momene was acquitted of the more serious charge of premeditated first-degree murder.
Prosecutors Dane Reinstedt and Omid Talai were present at the court for the sentencing, as well as Sgt. Brent Dittmer testified at the trial, as did several members of the District Attorney’s Office.
Defense lawyers Tony Brass and Zoe Aron were also present, as was Nima’s mother Mahnaz Momeni. The defendant’s sister Qajar Momeni did not attend the reading of the verdict.
Bob Lee family speaks
Outside court, Lee’s brother, Timothy Oliver Lee, said the family was pleased with the verdict.
“We are pleased with today’s outcome. We are pleased that Nima Momeni will not be living on the streets and will no longer have the opportunity to harm anyone else in this world,” he said. “The conviction for the murder of Number 2 will see him locked up for a long time.”
He also noted that in addition to Momeni being found guilty of murder, proceedings revealed that his family members were complicit in the crime by trying to help him cover it up and “had blood on their hands.” He said dozens of friends and supporters were in the courtroom with the family as the verdict was read.
“We’re very grateful to the DA’s office and we’re very grateful to the jury. I think justice was served here today,” he added.
SF DA Jenkins defends the city
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins attended the sentencing and thanked the attorneys prosecuting the case outside court after the guilty verdict was read.
“I know there’s confidence that we have the best two people working on this case,” Jenkins said. “I think this verdict is a testament to the hard work they put in, a testament to what great attorneys they are, and a testament to their commitment to justice and making sure this family gets justice.”
She also pushed back against what Elon Musk and others said in the aftermath of the stabbing, when critics claimed San Francisco was lawless and out of control, part of a popular “doomsday loop” narrative circulating on social media.
“I think, hopefully now we have reaffirmed what’s really going on here. We all know that after Bob Lee was murdered, Elon Musk went on Twitter to really shame San Francisco and make it look like it was about The lawlessness in San Francisco and what’s happening on our streets,” Jenkins said.
She noted that law enforcement had long believed Lee’s fatal stabbing was not a random crime.
“We know this is different. I think today proved once again that we are a city committed to accountability, we are a city committed to public safety,” she added. “When bad things happen that we cannot always control, law enforcement at all levels respond to ensure justice and accountability in every situation.”
Cash App founder stabbed to death
Momeni was accused Tech executive Lee stabbed to death April 2023, a secluded spot in the East Cut neighborhood under the San Francisco Bay Bridge.
court official It was announced late Monday afternoon that the jury had reached its verdict. Shortly before 4 p.m.
Prosecutors allege Momenei stabbed Lee with a kitchen paring knife after a heated discussion about his sister’s relationship with Lee and their ongoing drug use.. During the trial, Momeni’s lawyers Claim their client acted in self-defenseclaimed that Lee lunged at Momeni with a knife in his hand while high on ketamine and cocaine. defense Says Lee became erratic and aggressive after Momeni made a ‘bad joke’ At the expense of the interests of the Li family.
fierce trial
The trial lasted six weeks and was filled with dramatic testimony, including the testimony of Momeni’s sister, Qajar Momeni. She testified as a prosecution witness and On her first day of testimony, she insisted her brother did not kill Lee.. She also introduced consumption in detail Lee and others took several drugs in the days leading up to the fatal stabbing.
In cross-examination by defense attorneys, Khazar Momeni described Lee as ‘Being everywhere’ and ‘aggressive’ after taking drugs. Her testimony was criticized outside court by Lee’s ex-wife, Krista Lee. Accusing her of trying to “make a victim of herself”.
Testimony becomes controversial when Nima Momeni appears in court as defendant Argued with prosecutors during cross-examination after earlier Describe how Lee allegedly assaulted him Meanwhile, his defense team questioned him about the confrontation.
Challenge Nima Momene’s Story
San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Omid Talley disputed Momenei’s account, focusing on the actions he took immediately after Lee’s death, including phone calls he made to his attorney and text messages he exchanged with his sister.
Prosecutors closed the case in the first week of December Attempts to overturn Momeni’s defense in closing arguments and asked why he didn’t call police or tell anyone that Lee allegedly assaulted him.
The defense played an explosive video during closing arguments. Show surveillance video They claimed photos showed Lee snorting cocaine in the street outside a private club before killing him with the same knife hours later. Defense attorney Saam Zangeneh, who used a cardboard cutout of the knife in court so jurors could see the size of the paring knife, said the video proved Lee had the paring knife in his possession all along.
The video sparked a tense exchange between Zangane and Lee’s ex-wife, who let out a derisive laugh when the video was played.
Zangane turned to her directly and said, This is not funny. Prosecutors quickly objected and the judge stepped in to restore order in the courtroom.
Jury Deliberations will begin on the morning of December 4.
Who is Nima Momene?
Nima Momeni described as a ‘tech entrepreneur’ He was arrested in April 2023 for the murder of Bob Lee. Momenei was taken into custody at his Emeryville home on April 11, days after the fatal stabbing.
According to his Linkedin page, Momeni is the owner of Expand IT. His profile says the company has been providing IT solutions in the Bay Area since 2010.
Neighbors living near Momene Shocked to hear the news of his arrest. After Momenei was taken into custody, Sam Singer, a Bay Area public relations veteran who worked next door to him, said that aside from hearing music being played too loud, nothing ever happened between him and the defendant. question.
“Warm, enthusiastic, really nice people, in a live and work space just like any other technology consultant in the Bay Area,” Singer said. “He handed us a stack of cards and said if you need anything, please let me know.”
It later emerged that Khazar Momeni introduced Li to her brother, thinking the successful Cash App founder might collaborate with him on one of Nima’s projects.
