Bob Lee murder: Nima Momeni's attorney says there is a 'greater backstory' to Cash App founder's stabbing
SAN FRANCISO, CALIFORNIA: Nima Momeni's attorney, Paula Canny, reportedly said her client was not a risk and that there was more to the story than what prosecutors have claimed. Momeni is accused of stabbing and killing 43-year-old Cash App founder Bob Lee on April 4 after an altercation. Canny reportedly said, “There's so much more to this - and a much greater backstory than what has been disclosed at all in the government's pleading."
Momeni, who is the owner of Expand IT, was arrested on April 13 at his Emeryville home by San Francisco police officers after they obtained video footage that showed him stabbing Lee under the Bay Bridge on Main Street after the two fought about the suspect’s sister, Khazar. Assistant District Attorney Omid Tala reportedly said, “One of the wounds, showing a direct and clear intent to kill, penetrated the Victim’s heart." Additional security cameras showed Lee walking away injured while Momeni was seen walking near the area where the murder weapon was discovered, reports the New York Post. After stabbing Lee, Momeni allegedly fled in a white BMW.
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Prosecutors said that Momeni stabbed Lee in the heart over the latter's relationship with his married sister, with whom he exchanged intimate text messages. Commenting on the case, San Francisco District Attorney Brook Jenkins said earlier, "What we have at this point -- and what we've been willing to release to the public -- is the fact that Mr Momeni does have a sister who was connected to Mr Lee and apparently is what connects the two men, but at this time, we're not revealing any more than what's contained in our detention motion."
Prosecutors called attack 'planned' and 'deliberate'
Canny claimed that the San Francisco District Attorney's Office "seem to think they have enough to make an arrest, but I haven't seen it," per the Daily Mail. She also mentioned how prosecutors believed Momeni stabbed Lee with a kitchen knife and called the attack "planned" and "deliberate'. "It's a detention motion, it's standard operating procedure in San Francisco," Canny said, adding, "In San Francisco they no longer have cash bail. It's a risk assessment. They're giving the reasons in that motion why they say my client should be held without bail."
Nima Momeni has not entered a plea
Stating that she was yet to peruse the document as she was on vacation, Canny said, "So, until I see it and analyze it, I'm gonna say they've made a mistake. There isn't enough [to hold him]. My client is a super nice person, his family loves him and supports him. There's so much more to this - and a much greater backstory - than what has been disclosed at all in the government's pleading."
Momeni appeared in court on April 14 but did not enter a plea, and he remains in jail. He is expected to appear in court again on April 25.
