A San Francisco jury on Tuesday found tech consultant Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Bob Lee, the founder of Cash App. The conviction, which carries a sentence of 16 years to life, follows a high-profile trial that captivated the tech world and reignited debates over public safety in San Francisco.
The Attack and Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutors said Momeni orchestrated the attack on April 4, 2023, by driving Lee to an isolated area near the Bay Bridge and stabbing him three times with a knife taken from Momeni’s sister’s kitchen. The weapon, an 8-inch paring knife, was later recovered at the scene with Momeni’s DNA on the handle and Lee’s DNA on the blade. Prosecutors argued Momeni was enraged after learning Lee had introduced his younger sister, Khazar Elyassnia, to a drug dealer. Elyassnia claimed the dealer gave her drugs like GHB and sexually assaulted her.
Momeni’s Defense and Self-Defense Claim
Momeni maintained he acted in self-defense. Taking the witness stand, he testified that Lee attacked him first, upset after Momeni criticized him for prioritizing a night out over family time. A martial arts practitioner, Momeni said he did not realize he had fatally wounded Lee. “I was scared for my life,” he claimed during contentious testimony.
The Jury’s Decision
The jury rejected a first-degree murder charge, which would have required proof of premeditation. Instead, they delivered a second-degree murder conviction after deliberating for seven days. “We think justice was done here today,” Lee’s brother, Tim Oliver Lee, said after the verdict. “What matters today is that we had a guilty verdict, and Nima Momeni is going away for a long time.”
Who Was Bob Lee?
Bob Lee, 43, was a beloved figure in the tech community. He created Cash App and served as the chief product officer for cryptocurrency startup MobileCoin. At the time of his death, Lee had relocated to Miami from the San Francisco Bay Area, where his ex-wife Krista Lee lives with their two children. Lee’s sudden death initially fueled heated discourse about crime in San Francisco. Tech leaders, including Elon Musk, blamed city officials for rising lawlessness, with Musk posting, “Violent crime in SF is horrific.”
San Francisco’s Response to the Verdict
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins clarified after the trial that the killing was not an example of random street violence but a “targeted” crime. “We are a city committed to accountability; we are a city committed to public safety,” Jenkins said.
A Divided Courtroom
Jurors received the case on December 4 after a trial that began on October 14. Emotional testimonies and graphic evidence marked the proceedings. The courtroom was often split between the families of the victim and the accused. Momeni’s mother, Mahnaz Tayarani, tearfully called the verdict unfair, stating, “My son is not the person they think. He’s very kind, he’s very loving and respectful and caring.” Lee’s family members sat somberly through grim evidence, including autopsy photos and Lee’s final 911 call.
Key Evidence in the Case
Key evidence included surveillance footage showing Lee and Momeni leaving Elyassnia’s luxury condo around 2 a.m. on the night of the stabbing. Additional video captured the pair exiting Momeni’s BMW near the Bay Bridge, where the attack occurred. Prosecutors argued that Momeni’s actions were deliberate, fueled by anger over his sister’s alleged assault.
Defense Plans for Appeal
Momeni’s defense team, led by attorney Tony Brass, expressed disappointment with the verdict and signaled a potential appeal. They argued that grainy surveillance footage and the lack of independent witnesses left significant doubts about the prosecution’s case.
Events Leading to the Fatal Night
The events leading up to Lee’s death were also scrutinized. Earlier that evening, Lee and Elyassnia were reportedly using drugs and drinking at the apartment of a drug dealer Lee knew. Momeni later picked up his sister, who told him she had been assaulted. This prompted a heated phone exchange between Momeni and Lee, with Momeni accusing Lee of being a “creep” and a “sexual predator” in text messages.
The Night of the Attack
After leaving Elyassnia’s condo, Momeni testified that he and Lee drove together until Lee spilled a beer after hitting a pothole. Momeni claimed he jokingly suggested Lee spend time with his family instead of looking for strip clubs, which allegedly caused Lee to snap and attack him with a knife.
Prosecution’s Rebuttal
The prosecution dismissed Momeni’s self-defense claim, pointing to inconsistencies in his story. They emphasized that Momeni never reported an attack to the police and ignored texts from his sister asking about Lee’s whereabouts. Elyassnia, unaware of Lee’s fate, messaged him to thank him for “handling” her brother’s anger “with class.”
Conclusion
Ultimately, jurors concluded Momeni’s actions went beyond self-defense, leading to the guilty verdict. The court’s decision marks the end of a case that captivated the tech industry and the public, shifting from speculative theories about random violence to a tragic personal dispute with fatal consequences.
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