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 in prison, rejected Momeni’s claim of self-defense.
The jury deliberated for seven days before delivering their verdict regarding the fatal incident on April 4, 2023. Lee, a prominent tech entrepreneur, was found bleeding on a deserted downtown street and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
Prosecutors argued that the killing was premeditated. They contended that Momeni drove Lee to an isolated area beneath the Bay Bridge and stabbed him three times, including once in the heart, using a knife taken from his sister’s kitchen.
The motive, they asserted, stemmed from Momeni’s anger toward Lee for introducing Momeni’s younger sister to a drug dealer who allegedly supplied her with narcotics, including GHB, and later sexually assaulted her.
Momeni testified that he acted in self-defense, claiming that Lee had attacked him with the knife during a confrontation. According to Momeni, he had admonished Lee earlier in the evening about prioritizing his family over pursuing nightlife activities. Momeni, trained in martial arts, said he did not realize he had fatally injured Lee.
Lee’s high-profile status in the tech industry brought widespread attention to the case, which also sparked broader discussions about public safety in San Francisco. Public figures, including X owner Elon Musk, criticized the city’s crime rates following Lee’s death.
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins emphasized that the verdict demonstrated the targeted nature of the killing, countering narratives that the incident was an example of random city violence.
Prosecutors highlighted video footage from the scene, which they argued depicted Momeni stabbing Lee. They also presented forensic evidence showing Momeni’s DNA on the knife handle and Lee’s DNA on the blade. The knife, an 8-inch paring knife, was traced back to Momeni’s sister’s kitchen.
The trial, which began on October 14, 2023, was attended by both men’s families. Lee’s father, brother, and ex-wife were present, as were Momeni’s mother and supporters. The jury received the case on December 4 and reached a decision by Monday afternoon. The verdict was announced in a courtroom filled with Lee’s family, friends, and journalists.
At the time of his death, Lee was the creator of Cash App and the chief product officer at MobileCoin, a cryptocurrency firm. He had recently relocated to Miami from the San Francisco Bay Area, where his ex-wife resides with their two children.
Momeni has been in custody since his arrest in April 2023. His sentencing is expected to follow in the coming weeks, marking the conclusion of a case that captivated both the tech world and the public at large.
