The murder case of Cash App founder Bob Lee took an unexpected turn when defense attorneys refuted the alleged motive behind the killing. During the preliminary hearing of accused killer Nima Momeni, the defense claimed that the narrative of an ‘honor killing’ presented by the prosecution was false.
Bob Lee, a prominent tech executive, was found stabbed to death near the Bay Bridge in San Francisco around 2:30 a.m. on April 4, 2023. Prosecutors previously suggested that Momeni, a 38-year-old from Emeryville, attacked Lee out of anger over Lee’s behavior with Momeni’s sister, Khazar, at a party.
However, defense attorney Saam Zangeneh argued that Momeni held no malice towards Lee. Instead, he claimed that Momeni was upset with a suspected drug dealer, Jeremy Boivin, who allegedly provided Khazar with three doses of GHB, commonly known as a ‘date rape drug’, at one of the parties.
A series of parties, drug use, and uncomfortable situations led to tensions among the involved parties. According to the defense, Momeni was not angry with Lee but was incensed about a supposed romantic relationship between Khazar and Boivin, the alleged drug dealer.
Zangeneh further argued that Boivin has a criminal record involving drug-related offenses and a recent accusation of sodomy. However, the judge ruled that Boivin’s criminal history was irrelevant to the case.
The preliminary hearing will continue as the court seeks to determine whether there’s sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to a murder trial. Momeni has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
The case highlights the complexity of high-profile criminal proceedings, where the truth can often be obscured by multiple conflicting narratives. As the case continues, it will be crucial to sift through these narratives to ensure justice is served.