A San Francisco jury has convicted Nima Momeni, a tech consultant, of second-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of Bob Lee, the founder of Cash App. The verdict was delivered after seven days of deliberation, casting aside Momeni’s claims of self-defense. This conviction carries a potential sentence of 16 years to life in prison.
The incident occurred on April 4, 2023, when Bob Lee was found bleeding and pleading for help on a deserted street in downtown San Francisco. Despite being rushed to a hospital, Lee, aged 43, succumbed to his injuries.
Tim Oliver Lee, the victim’s brother, expressed relief at the outcome, stating, “We’re happy that Nima Momeni will not be on the streets, he no longer has the opportunity to harm anybody else in this world. We think justice was done here today.”
In contrast, Momeni’s mother, Mahnaz Tayarani, voiced her disappointment, describing the verdict as unjust and defending her son as a kind and caring individual.
Prosecutors argued that Momeni orchestrated the attack on Lee, allegedly due to anger over Lee’s introduction of Momeni’s sister to a drug dealer. This dealer purportedly provided drugs, leading to her sexual assault. Momeni reportedly drove Lee to a remote area under the Bay Bridge and stabbed him three times, including a fatal wound to the heart, using a knife from his sister’s kitchen. More details can be found here.
However, Momeni testified that Lee was the aggressor, attacking him with a knife after a disagreement about spending time with family instead of searching for a nightclub. He claimed to be unaware of the severity of Lee’s injuries at the time.
The case garnered significant national attention, partly due to Lee’s influential role in the tech industry. Initially, his death sparked debates on public safety in San Francisco, with prominent figures like Elon Musk commenting on crime in the city.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins emphasized that the verdict underscores the targeted nature of the crime, rather than a random act of violence, stating, “We are a city committed to accountability, we are a city committed to public safety.”
Momeni has been held in custody since April 2023, when he was charged with first-degree murder. Family members from both sides attended the trial, which commenced on October 14. The trial was marked by emotional reactions, especially during the presentation of autopsy photos and 911 calls.
The jury received the case on December 4 and reached their decision by Monday afternoon, with the verdict announced the following day. The courtroom was filled with Lee’s family, friends, and journalists covering the high-profile trial.
Bob Lee, known for creating Cash App and serving as the chief product officer of MobileCoin, had recently relocated to Miami but was visiting the Bay Area at the time of his death. Further background on Lee’s career is available here.
Despite agreement on the chronological series of events leading to the confrontation, the specifics of their exchange and the initiation of the attack remain undocumented, with video evidence being inconclusive. Prosecutors presented DNA evidence linking Momeni to the murder weapon, a nearly 8-inch paring knife.
Defense attorney Tony Brass expressed disappointment in the verdict and indicated potential plans for an appeal. The jury dismissed a charge of first-degree murder, which required proof of premeditation, convicting Momeni of second-degree murder instead.
Jurors chose not to comment on their decision publicly. The day before the stabbing, Lee and Khazar Momeni, Nima’s sister, were reportedly using drugs and drinking at a drug dealer’s apartment. Nima Momeni later retrieved his sister, who claimed she had been assaulted. Surveillance footage captured the two men leaving Khazar’s condo and traveling to the location where the stabbing occurred.
Momeni claimed the altercation began after he joked about Lee’s priorities regarding family time versus nightlife. He alleged that Lee reacted violently, prompting him to defend himself. Despite these assertions, the prosecution questioned Momeni’s narrative, noting his failure to report the incident or check on Lee’s well-being after learning of his death.
Text messages revealed Khazar Momeni’s inquiries into Lee’s whereabouts and her appreciation for his composure during her brother’s confrontation. More details on this aspect can be found here.
