The trial of Nima Momeni for the murder of Bob Lee, the founder of Cash App, concluded with a second-degree murder conviction, shedding light on a complex and tragic case. Momeni’s sister, Khazar Momeni, played a crucial role in the proceedings, as her testimony was pivotal in presenting the alleged motive for the murder.
Khazar claimed that Bob Lee had sexually assaulted her the day before his death, with the assault allegedly being perpetrated by Jeremy Boivin, a drug dealer introduced to her by Lee. She further stated that Nima Momeni was aware of the assault and was enraged, claiming that it was this anger that led to the confrontation and ultimately, the murder. The defense, however, argued that Nima acted in self-defense after an altercation with Lee, which they said began when Nima made a joke about Lee being a father.
The events leading up to the murder began on April 3, when Lee, visiting San Francisco, attended a party at Khazar’s luxury apartment. Khazar testified that drugs, including GHB (the “date rape drug”), were consumed during the party, and that she passed out due to Boivin’s influence. Upon regaining consciousness, Khazar claimed to have texted Nima about the assault and was subsequently picked up by him. However, Khazar did not report the assault to the police at the time, and her ongoing interactions with Boivin raised doubts about her allegations. She further testified that Boivin had assaulted her again in the aftermath of Lee’s death.
On the night of the murder, Nima Momeni and Bob Lee were reportedly not tense when they met at Khazar’s apartment. However, Khazar testified that by 2 a.m., she asked both men to leave. Shortly after, Nima Momeni stabbed Lee near the Bay Bridge, later expressing to his sister that the situation had not turned out as he had hoped. Nima also reportedly described Lee as acting “erratic” before the attack.
Despite the defense’s claim of self-defense, the jury convicted Nima Momeni of second-degree murder. The decision to charge him with second-degree murder rather than first-degree murder was based on the lack of agreement among the jurors regarding premeditation. Nima Momeni now faces a potential life sentence, with Lee’s brother expressing relief that Momeni will no longer pose a threat to society.
This case has captured widespread attention due to its tragic circumstances, the involvement of high-profile figures in the tech world, and the complex family dynamics that played out in court.