Prosecutors rested their case on Thursday in the trial of Nima Momeni, the technical consultant accused fatally stabbing Cash App founder Bob Lee in April 2023.
The move marks the end of testimony in the trial and a step toward jury deliberation, in which a panel of twelve San Franciscans will decide Momeni’s fate.
Thursday’s testimony featured compelling testimony from Lee’s longtime friends, who described him as a kind and gentle person, even under the influence of drugs, in a striking rebuttal to the defense’s portrayal of him as aggressive in the early morning hours of April 4. depicted. , 2023.
Lee’s brother, Timothy Oliver Lee, expressed gratitude for the friends who took the stand and shared personal stories that brought Bob’s character to life in the courtroom.
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“I think he would have appreciated it if his friends had come here, taken fire and examined their lives,” Timothy said. “I think he would have been very proud.”
Longtime friends testified that Lee, affectionately called a “teddy bear,” was known for his smile and calm demeanor. Even when he was on drugs, they said, he remained friendly and often diffused tense situations rather than escalating them.
“He was fun, friendly… he was always there to smile and have a good conversation and loved hugs. He was just an extremely kind, generous, loving person,” said a witness who said he had known Lee since 2015 , about his character while he was under the influence.
Another friend who said they had known Lee since 2004 described him as “a teddy bear, he’s incredibly affectionate, incredibly sweet, he loved to speak highly of his friends… he had deep conversations, so all those qualities were only improved” while he was under the influence of narcotics.
A third witness, who said he had known Lee since 2017, said that “he could be really great at diffusing a situation, reminding two people in a relationship who were fighting that you love each other,” the witness said , adding that Lee “wasn’t someone who would get aggressive.”
Defense attorney Shannan Dugan emphasized the impact of this testimony, saying it could directly undermine the defense’s claim that Lee acted aggressively on the night of the fatal confrontation with Momeni.
“It had the power today to wreak havoc on the defense and on Nima Momeni’s testimony,” Dugan said.
Momeni’s defense hinges on his story that Lee, while high on cocaine and ketamine, became erratic and aggressive after making a “bad joke” at the expense of Lee’s family. Momeni has claimed to have acted in self-defense after Lee allegedly attacked him with a knife.
However, the prosecutor responded with testimony that disputed this story. Friends insisted Lee was not the type to get into a physical confrontation or speak negatively about others, even under the influence of drugs.
“The question hanging over this case for the jury,” Dugan noted, “is whether Bob Lee was the type of person who would conceal a knife, bring it to the scene of a crime and act aggressively. The answer was a resounding no.”
As Thanksgiving approaches, Lee’s family struggles with their loss. Lee’s brother Oliver reflected on the bittersweet nature of the holiday and said the family will save a seat for Bob at their table.
“We will miss him dearly this Thanksgiving. It’s going to be, you know, a smaller table,” he said.
The trial is now adjourned for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with closing arguments scheduled for December 2. Both sides will then present their final cases to the jury, which will decide whether Momeni should be convicted or acquitted.
