Current:Home > BackSan Francisco prosecutors to lay out murder case against consultant in death of Cash App’s Bob Lee-InfoLens
San Francisco prosecutors to lay out murder case against consultant in death of Cash App’s Bob Lee
View Date:2024-12-23 16:28:45
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco prosecutor’s office began laying out its case Monday against a tech consultant charged with murder in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee, who was found bleeding on a deserted city street in April.
In the preliminary hearing, a judge will decide if there’s enough evidence to go to trial.
Prosecutors have provided no motive and released little information in a case that has drawn outsized media attention, partly due to Lee’s status in the tech world. Lee created Cash App, a mobile payment service, and was the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency MobileCoin.
Nima Momeni, 38, has been in jail since his arrest April 13. He has pleaded not guilty, and he faces 26 years to life if convicted.
That came more than a week after Lee, 43, was found bleeding in a deserted part of downtown San Francisco early April 4. Lee was rushed to a hospital, where he died.
In making a motion to keep Momeni detained in jail without bail, prosecutors argued that he planned the attack, drove Lee to a secluded spot and stabbed him three times after a dispute related to Momeni’s younger sister.
Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai said at a May hearing that Momeni used a knife that was part of a unique kitchen set belonging to his sister. Analysis showed Momeni’s DNA on the weapon’s handle and Lee’s DNA on the bloody blade, Talai said.
Police recovered a knife with a 4-inch (10-centimeter) blade at the scene.
Momeni has hired two new lawyers, Saam Zangeneh and Bradford Cohen, both based in Florida. His first attorney, Paula Canny, withdrew in late May, citing a conflict of interest that she declined to disclose.
In arguing for bail, Canny said that Momeni was not a flight risk and would not leave the two people he loves most, his sister and mother. She said Momeni needs to fight the charges or face deportation to Iran, a country that his mother fled when the children were younger to escape a violent husband.
An unnamed friend of Lee told homicide investigators they had been hanging out and drinking with Momeni’s sister the day before the stabbing, prosecutors said in their motion to deny bail.
The friend said Momeni later questioned Lee about whether his sister was doing drugs or otherwise engaging in inappropriate behavior and Lee said she had not.
Surveillance video showed Lee later entering the posh Millennium Tower downtown, where Momeni’s sister Khazar lives with her husband, prominent San Francisco plastic surgeon Dino Elyassnia. Video footage then showed Lee and Momeni leaving the building together shortly after 2 a.m. and driving off in Momeni’s car.
Lee was found shortly after 2:30 a.m. in the Rincon Hill neighborhood, which has tech offices and condominiums but little activity in the early morning hours.
veryGood! (31)
Related
- 32-year-old Maryland woman dies after golf cart accident
- Brian Austin Green Shares Message to Sharna Burgess Amid Ex Megan Fox's Baby News
- Nearly 80,000 pounds of Costco butter recalled for missing 'Contains Milk statement': FDA
- Biden EPA to charge first-ever ‘methane fee’ for drilling waste by oil and gas companies
- Mississippi governor intent on income tax cut even if states receive less federal money
- Chris Wallace will leave CNN 3 years after defecting from 'Fox News Sunday'
- Congress returns to unfinished business and a new Trump era
- Relive Pregnant Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly's Achingly Beautiful Romance
- Round 2 in the Trump-vs-Mexico matchup looks ominous for Mexico
- Wisconsin authorities believe kayaker staged his disappearance and fled to Europe
Ranking
- Target will be closed on Thanksgiving: Here’s when stores open on Black Friday
- The Stanley x LoveShackFancy Collaboration That Sold Out in Minutes Is Back for Part 2—Don’t Miss Out!
- Saving for retirement? How to account for Social Security benefits
- Teachers in 3 Massachusetts communities continue strike over pay, paid parental leave
- Pennsylvania House Republicans pick new floor leader after failing to regain majority
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Mixed Use
- Nicole Scherzinger receives support from 'The View' hosts after election post controversy
- Waymo’s robotaxis now open to anyone who wants a driverless ride in Los Angeles
Recommendation
-
Teachers in 3 Massachusetts communities continue strike over pay, paid parental leave
-
Asian sesame salad sold in Wegmans supermarkets recalled over egg allergy warning
-
NFL Week 10 winners, losers: Cowboys' season can no longer be saved
-
'We suffered great damage': Fierce California wildfire burns homes, businesses
-
As the transition unfolds, Trump eyes one of his favorite targets: US intelligence
-
Judith Jamison, acclaimed Alvin Ailey American dancer and director, dead at 81
-
John Robinson, former USC Trojans and Los Angeles Rams coach, dies at 89
-
Too Hot to Handle’s Francesca Farago Gives Birth, Welcomes Twins With Jesse Sullivan