Attorneys representing Nima Momeni, the tech consultant accused of the murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee, addressed the court during a preliminary hearing on Monday. Defense lawyers vehemently denied there was any animosity between the two men and asserted that their client had no motive to harm Lee. The prosecution presented its evidence during the hearing, and the judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. The defense is expected to present their arguments on Tuesday.
Prosecutors contend that Momeni, 38, meticulously planned the attack on April 4, which tragically resulted in the death of Bob Lee on a quiet San Francisco street. Allegedly, Momeni drove Lee to a secluded area, where he stabbed him three times following a dispute related to Momeni’s sister, Khazar. However, Tony Brass, one of Momeni’s defense attorneys, asserts that it was another man, rather than Lee, whom Momeni suspected of inappropriate behavior towards his sister. Brass emphasized the cordial nature of the relationship between Momeni and Lee, stating that the two were seen together in a car, indicating the absence of any murderous intent.
A close friend of Lee informed the homicide investigators that they had spent time with Momeni’s sister, drinking and socializing on the day preceding the incident, according to court documents. The friend mentioned that Momeni later questioned Lee about his sister’s potentially drug-related or improper activities, to which Lee denied any wrongdoing. However, Saam Zangeneh, one of Momeni’s lawyers, clarified in court that these questions were posed to Lee in relation to the man whose apartment they had been visiting. Zangeneh also emphasized the need to dispel any notion of an “honor killing” aimed at protecting a sister.
Although prosecutors have not explicitly disclosed the motive behind the crime, they have provided a detailed timeline of events. This case has garnered substantial media attention, primarily due to Lee’s prominence in the tech world. As the creator of Cash App, a widely used mobile payment service, and the chief product officer of cryptocurrency MobileCoin, Lee left an indelible mark. Momeni, who has been in custody since his arrest on April 13, has pled not guilty. If convicted, he could face 26 years to life in prison.
During Monday’s hearing, Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai officially introduced evidence for the case, including photographs of the knife allegedly used by Momeni to stab Lee. Additionally, blood trail evidence, as well as surveillance footage showing Momeni and Lee leaving his sister’s condominium building prior to the incident, were presented. Talai had previously indicated that the knife belonged to Momeni’s sister and that DNA analysis revealed Momeni’s DNA on the handle and Lee’s DNA on the blade. A knife with a 4-inch (10-centimeter) blade was recovered at the scene.
Zangeneh questioned the lack of fingerprint analysis on the rubber handle of the knife, stating that fingerprints are typically used to determine whether someone touched an item. Crime scene investigator Rosalyn Check from the San Francisco Police Department explained that obtaining fingerprints from rubber is challenging.
Surveillance footage from the night of the incident captured Lee entering the upscale Millennium Tower in the heart of downtown San Francisco, where Momeni’s sister and her prominent plastic surgeon husband reside. Furthermore, the footage shows Lee and Momeni leaving the building together shortly after 2 a.m., driving away in Momeni’s car. Lee was discovered in the Rincon Hill neighborhood, an area known for tech offices and condominiums, but with minimal activity during the early morning hours. Tragically, he passed away in a hospital shortly after being found.
While the case continues to unfold, the defense maintains the innocence of their client and argues against existing evidence. The court will decide whether the evidence warrants moving forward with a trial. As the legal battle ensues, the public awaits further revelations surrounding the tragic death of Bob Lee and the circumstances leading up to it.
