A San Francisco jury convicted Nima Momeni, a tech consultant, of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee. The conviction followed a lengthy trial and a seven-day deliberation, rejecting Momeni’s self-defense claim.
The stabbing occurred on April 4, 2023, when Lee, a prominent tech entrepreneur, was found bleeding on a deserted street near the Bay Bridge. Despite attempts to seek help, Lee died in a hospital from the wounds inflicted by Momeni. Prosecutors argued that Momeni premeditated the attack, driving Lee to a remote location and stabbing him three times, including once in the heart. The motive, they claimed, was Momeni’s anger over Lee allegedly introducing his sister to a drug dealer who sexually assaulted her.
In contrast, Momeni testified that Lee attacked him with a knife after Momeni confronted him about spending more time with his family. Momeni claimed to have acted in self-defense, though his martial arts training and the fatal nature of the attack raised questions.
This high-profile case has attracted national attention, partly due to Lee’s status in the tech world. Lee, who had recently moved to Miami, was also serving as the Chief Product Officer at the cryptocurrency company MobileCoin. The trial has sparked discussions on public safety and crime rates in San Francisco.
The jury’s decision marks the end of a contentious trial, with Momeni now facing 16 years to life in prison. Lee’s family attended the proceedings regularly, and the verdict came after weeks of emotional testimony.
