The trial of tech consultant, Nima Momeni, charged in the stabbing death of Cash App founder, Bob Lee, began in San Francisco Superior Court with opening statements from both sides. Momeni’s lawyers stated that he had no motive to kill Lee and was forced to defend himself against an aggressive Lee, who was on a drug bender at the time of the attack. Prosecutors allege that Momeni planned the attack after a dispute over his younger sister, Khazar, who was friends with Lee. They claim Momeni took a knife from his sister’s condo, drove Lee to a secluded area, and stabbed him three times before fleeing the scene. Lee’s death at age 43 shocked the tech community, as he was known for his generosity and brilliance as the chief product officer of cryptocurrency platform MobileCoin.
Judge Alexandra Gordon informed jurors that the trial is expected to last two months, with Momeni facing 26 years to life in prison if convicted. Momeni has pleaded not guilty and has been in custody since his arrest days after Lee’s death. Defense attorney Saam Zangeneh told jurors that they will show Momeni bore no ill will towards Lee and was forced to defend himself when Lee pulled out a knife while high on drugs. The defense plans to demonstrate that Momeni’s actions were in self-defense and that the only viable verdict should be not guilty. Momeni, who has been seen in court wearing orange jail clothing, was present in a dark suit, accompanied by his mother, who has been a constant presence at hearings.
In court, Lee’s family, including his ex-wife, father, and brother, sat on the opposite side from Momeni. Lee’s brother comforted their father as they listened to a 911 call that Lee made seeking help after being stabbed. Assistant District Attorney, Omid Talai, stated that jurors would hear from a friend of Lee’s who witnessed Momeni and Lee’s interactions before the stabbing. The friend will testify that Momeni was aggressive and overprotective the night before the incident, while Lee was in a mellow and happy mood. Zangeneh argued that the witness was not reliable and that text messages between Momeni and Lee indicated a friendly relationship. Surveillance footage showed Lee and Momeni leaving a building together and driving to a secluded spot where the stabbing occurred.
Prosecutors presented evidence, including video footage, that showed Momeni and Lee together before the stabbing near the Bay Bridge. They claimed that Momeni stabbed Lee three times and then quickly fled the scene. Additionally, text messages indicated that Momeni thought about accusing Lee of assault against his sister after the incident. Police recovered a knife with Momeni’s DNA on the handle and Lee’s DNA on the blade, leading to his arrest. However, Zangeneh argued that the police should have tested the handle for fingerprints, specifically Lee’s. He expressed skepticism about Momeni bringing a knife from his sister’s kitchen to kill Lee and claimed that Momeni was unaware of the extent of Lee’s injuries. The defense has not yet decided whether Momeni will testify in his defense.
Family members of both Momeni and Lee declined to comment on the trial proceedings. The case has attracted significant attention from the tech community, given the involvement of prominent figures like Lee and Momeni. As the trial progresses, more evidence and witness testimonies will shed light on the events leading to Lee’s tragic death and determine Momeni’s fate. The trial is expected to continue for the next two months as the prosecution and defense present their arguments and evidence to the jury. The outcome of the trial will have a significant impact on both the families of the victim and the accused, as well as the broader tech community that was deeply affected by the loss of Bob Lee.
