SAN FRANCISCO – The defense in the trial of Nima Momeni officially rested its case Tuesday after days of testimony, including a dramatic appearance by the suspect himself.
The team stuck to the argument that a “bad joke” escalated into a deadly encounter with technology director Bob Lee.
“We think our position and our defense are crystal clear,” said lawyer Saam Zangeneh. “We feel strongly about the flow of the case. I think the jury wanted the information we provided. The prosecution has a lot of holes in their case, and a lot of it didn’t add up.”
However, the defense’s decision to rest means that Momeni’s own team cannot provide additional witnesses or evidence to strengthen his claim of self-defense. The focus now shifts to the prosecution, who is expected to refute these claims and try to strengthen their case.
Both the defense and the prosecution face major hurdles. Key questions remain unanswered, including whether Lee showed aggression during the confrontation or whether he had a motive to attack Momeni.
“The only two people who know what happened with the knife at the scene are Nima Momeni and Bob Lee,” attorney Shannan Dugan explains. “Bob Lee cannot tell his story. The jury is only left with Nima Momeni’s version.”
The knife, a crucial piece of evidence, matches a brand found in Momeni’s sister’s apartment. It was a 7.5 inch Joseph-Joseph peeler. However, the prosecution has not yet been able to provide any evidence or testimony to show how the knife ended up at the scene, apart from an account from Momeni who only said that Lee took it from his front right jacket pocket.
In his testimony, Momeni said he and Lee were in Momeni’s white BMW z4 when Lee spilled his drink as the car hit a pothole. Momeni said the pair stopped on Main Street, under the Bay Bridge, so Lee could clean it up. Momeni then said that earlier that evening, Lee came across a gym rag and a tank of nitrous oxide left behind by Khazar Momeni, Nima’s sister.
Momeni said Lee took several hits of the nitrous oxide, which caused a brief high, and got out of the car because Momeni assumed Lee was feeling sick.
That’s when Momeni said he made a “bad joke” to Lee and told him that if it was his own last night in the city, he would rather spend it with family than go to a strip club, a destination Momeni said that Lee had suggested he continue. their evening.
He said these words triggered Lee, who pulled out the knife and waved it at Momeni. Using an unknown amount of martial arts training, Momeni said he was able to neutralize Lee’s arm and push it back into Lee. But how Lee acquired the knife remains a mystery.
“If they can put someone in the stands, say so [Lee] “If he didn’t pick up a knife to begin with, the jury would be more inclined to believe it was Nima Momeni who brought the knife,” Dugan added.
For the prosecutor, the path forward is a challenge. They must convince the jury not only that Momeni stabbed Lee intentionally, but also that his self-defense claim is untrue.
The burden of proof remains high, Dugan said.
“Almost doesn’t count,” she said. “So even if jurors think Nima Momeni might have done it, it’s more likely than not, maybe even probable, that’s not beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The prosecution will begin its rebuttal Thursday, with five witnesses testifying about Bob Lee’s character.
As the trial moves closer to conclusion, closing arguments are expected the week of December 2. The defense has promised a strong ending, with Zangeneh teasing an impressive final statement.
“We will finish everything at closing because there will be some explosions at closing, and we look forward to lighting that fire,” Zangeneh said.
Until then, the jury must prepare to weigh the evidence – or lack thereof – and decide whether the pieces of this puzzle lead to conviction or doubt.
