SAN FRANCISCO — The trial of a technology consultant accused of murdering Cash App founder Bob Lee is set to commence on Monday, marking a year and a half since the high-profile entrepreneur was discovered wounded on a deserted street in downtown San Francisco.
At just 43 years old, Lee’s unexpected passing sent shockwaves through the tech community, prompting tributes from many within the industry who remembered him for his kindness and exceptional talent. At the time of his death, Lee held the position of chief product officer at the cryptocurrency platform MobileCoin. He was also a devoted father to two children.
Prosecutors allege that 40-year-old Nima Momeni had orchestrated the April 4 attack following an argument involving his younger sister, Khazar, who was friends with Lee. According to the prosecution, Momeni retrieved a knife from his sister’s apartment, transported Lee to a secluded area, and subsequently stabbed him three times before fleeing the scene.
The defense, however, presents an opposing narrative, asserting that Lee was under the influence of drugs and initiated the confrontation. “Our argument is that Bob was wielding the knife, and Nima acted in self-defense,” stated attorney Saam Zangeneh. He further mentioned that Momeni is eager to share his account of the incident, although they have yet to determine if he will take the stand.
Momeni, residing in nearby Emeryville, California, has remained in custody since being arrested just days after Lee’s death at a local hospital. His mother has consistently attended court hearings, indicating close family ties, particularly with his sister.
Court documents presented by prosecutors include statements from a friend of Lee who claimed they had been out drinking with Momeni’s sister the day before the incident. The friend reported that Momeni later confronted Lee regarding his sister’s alleged drug use or inappropriate behavior, to which Lee denied any such claims.
Surveillance footage from Lee’s last evening shows him entering the luxurious Millennium Tower at around 2 a.m., where Momeni’s sister resides alongside her husband, a well-known plastic surgeon in San Francisco. The video then captures Momeni and Lee exiting the building and driving away together shortly after. Lee was subsequently found around 2:30 a.m. in the Rincon Hill area, a neighborhood typically quiet during early morning hours, despite being home to numerous tech offices and condominiums.
Police recovered a knife with a 4-inch blade at the scene, and forensic tests indicated that Momeni’s DNA was found on the handle, while Lee’s DNA was present on the blade. The defense criticized the police for not conducting a fingerprint analysis on the knife’s handle, specifically seeking fingerprints from Lee.
Momeni, who has pleaded not guilty, faces a potential sentence of 26 years to life if found guilty. Judge Alexandra Gordon of the San Francisco Superior Court has informed jurors that the trial is expected to extend until mid-December.
