SAN FRANCISCO — On Tuesday, a jury in San Francisco convicted Nima Momeni of second-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of Bob Lee, the founder of Cash App, which carries a potential prison sentence of 16 years to life. The jury dismissed Momeni’s defense that he had acted in self-defense during the incident.
After seven days of deliberation, jurors reached their verdict concerning the death of Lee, who was discovered wounded on a deserted street on April 4, 2023, pleading for assistance. Despite attempts to save him, Lee, aged 43, succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital. Tim Oliver Lee, the victim’s brother, expressed relief at the jury’s decision, stating, “We’re glad 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.”
Momeni’s mother, Mahnaz Tayarani, expressed her heartbreak at the ruling, referring to her son as a kind and caring individual. She argued, “My son is not the person that they think. He’s very kind, he’s very loving and respectful and caring.”
Prosecutors painted a picture of a premeditated attack, asserting that Momeni deliberately drove Lee to a secluded area near the Bay Bridge before stabbing him three times, including a fatal wound to the heart, using a knife taken from his sister’s kitchen. Allegedly, Momeni’s anger stemmed from Lee’s involvement with his younger sister, who claimed to have been introduced to a drug dealer by Lee, leading to her being drugged and assaulted.
However, Momeni’s testimony countered these claims, asserting that it was Lee who initiated the altercation with a knife after Momeni suggested he should focus on family rather than nightlife that evening. Momeni, who practices martial arts, claimed he did not realize he had caused Lee’s death or that Lee was injured at all.
The case garnered significant public interest partly due to Lee’s prominence within the tech industry. His passing sparked discussions about public safety in San Francisco, particularly noted by X owner Elon Musk, who commented on the issue of violent crime in the city. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins stated the verdict illustrated that the murder was a targeted act rather than arbitrary violence. “We are a city committed to accountability; we are a city committed to public safety,” Jenkins conveyed to the media after the verdict was announced.
Momeni, who has remained incarcerated since his April 2023 arrest, initially faced a first-degree murder charge. The trial, which began on October 14, saw family members from both sides present. Lee’s relatives visibly reacted to the evidence presented, including autopsy photographs. The jury was presented with evidence but no clear independent account of the events that transpired between the two men, as video footage of their final encounter was low-quality.
The prosecution indicated that video footage captured Momeni stabbing Lee three times. They noted that a nearly 8-inch paring knife, identified as the weapon, featured Momeni’s DNA on its handle and Lee’s DNA on the blade. As the verdict was delivered, two of Momeni’s five attorneys were present in court while others attended virtually. Tony Brass, one of Momeni’s lawyers, expressed disappointment in the decision and mentioned they would consider filing an appeal.
The jury ultimately did not find enough evidence to support a first-degree murder charge, which requires proof of intentional and premeditated actions, unlike second-degree murder which does not necessitate premeditation. Following the verdict, jurors opted not to comment to the press.
The day before the stabbing, it was revealed that Lee and Khazar Momeni had been drinking and using drugs at a residence associated with a drug dealer known to Lee. Following an altercation with her brother about an incident in which she claimed to have been assaulted, Khazar told Nima about the situation, leading to confrontations with Lee.
Witnesses testified that Momeni attempted to contact Lee regarding the situation with his sister while at the drug dealer’s apartment. Surveillance footage captured the two men leaving Khazar’s upscale condo around 2 a.m. and entering Momeni’s vehicle before the attack occurred. Momeni described the moment leading to the stabbing as an instance where Lee grew hostile, responding angrily after Momeni suggested he should prioritize family over nightlife.
During his testimony, Momeni portrayed himself as a victim of the encounter, claiming he feared for his safety and did not understand the gravity of the situation until the following day. Despite expressing remorse for Lee and his family, prosecutors scrutinized his claims, highlighting that he never reported the supposed attack to law enforcement nor reached out to authorities after learning about Lee’s death.
Text messages exchanged between Khazar and Momeni raised further suspicions, demonstrating her concern following what transpired.