In a dramatic turn of events, Nima Momeni, the defendant in the high-profile Bob Lee murder case, took the stand on Wednesday to provide his account of the fatal encounter. Momeni is facing serious charges for allegedly stabbing and killing Bob Lee during a confrontation that occurred in the early morning hours of April 4, 2023, beneath the iconic Bay Bridge.
During his testimony, Momeni claimed that the altercation began after Bob Lee reacted aggressively to a comment he made. He asserted that the catalyst for the violent outburst was a joke he made, stating that if it were his last night in San Francisco, he would prefer to be spending time with family instead of “f***ing around in strip clubs.” He described how Lee, upon hearing the remark, swiftly escalated the situation, drawing a knife from his pocket and initiating an attack. Momeni vividly recounted, and even demonstrated, how he attempted to redirect the knife back at Lee during the chaotic struggle. He vividly described how, after the confrontation, Lee walked away seemingly unresponsive to Momeni’s urgent questions about what had just transpired, and he was completely unaware that Lee had sustained fatal injuries. Momeni admitted that he picked up the knife and threw it over a nearby Caltrans fence but could not offer a clear rationale for this action during his testimony. However, he did express sorrow to Lee’s family, emphasizing that although he felt cornered, Lee had not deserved such an outcome.
RELATED: Khazar Momeni ‘has no right to make herself a victim,’ Bob Lee’s ex-wife says
Earlier in his testimony, Momeni shared insights about his upbringing in Iran. He spoke candidly about fleeing an abusive father alongside his mother and sister, ultimately seeking refuge in the Bay Area. He detailed his extensive martial arts training, both in Iran and in the United States, which his defense team argues he employed in an act of self-defense during the incident. Additionally, he discussed the nature of his sister Khazar’s open marriage with her plastic surgeon husband, Dino Elyassnia, which he described as successful due to mutual respect and established boundaries. Momeni recounted a previous encounter with Bob Lee over FaceTime, just three months prior to the murder, and noted the anticipation leading up to their first in-person meeting that occurred on the night transitioning from March 31 to April 1, 2023.
On April 3, 2023, Momeni received a distress call from his sister Khazar, who was experiencing a significant drug trip and was disoriented. He recounted how he reached out to Dino Elyassnia, asking him to accompany him to retrieve Khazar from Jeremy Boivin’s apartment, a location that witnesses have identified as a hub for drug activity. Elyassnia drove Khazar’s vehicle back to the Millennium Tower, while Momeni transported his sister in his own car. During this time, Khazar informed Momeni about her interactions with Bo Mohazabbi, Bob Lee’s friend, labeling him as disrespectful at the apartment and revealing that Boivin had administered excessive amounts of GHB to her, which is often associated with date-rape incidents.
Momeni conveyed his frustration towards Boivin but described his conversation with Bob Lee as remarkably cordial and more sober compared to others he had encountered that night. He expressed gratitude for their interaction, which he claimed helped him calm down in the chaotic atmosphere. Later, at the Millennium Tower, he recounted how Boivin visited to return Khazar’s jacket, during which he observed a flirtatious exchange between Khazar and Boivin, noting how Boivin was exceptionally polite and contrite during their encounter.
RELATED: Accused killer’s sister describes Bob Lee as ‘aggressive,’ high on drugs during cross-examination
Both Bob Lee and Momeni spent time at Khazar’s Millennium apartment, where Khazar texted both men separately expressing her desire to sleep. Momeni recounted driving on Main Street when Lee accidentally spilled his beer in the car, prompting Momeni to pull over and offer him a gym towel to clean up the mess. He described how Lee discovered Khazar’s nitrous oxide canister under the seat and began using it, becoming increasingly erratic and vocal before exiting the vehicle, with Momeni speculating that Lee may have stepped out to vomit.
Then, as Momeni followed him out of the car, he made the ill-fated joke about preferring family time over strip clubs. This remark, according to Momeni, triggered an aggressive response from Lee, who began circling him and shouting. Momeni recalled that Lee reached into his jacket pocket, producing what appeared to be a blade, at which point Momeni felt an urgent need to “control the hands” of Lee, fearing for his safety.
In the ensuing scuffle, Momeni vividly demonstrated how he tried to grab hold of Lee’s hands to subdue him, while simultaneously pushing him backward. He testified that the situation escalated so rapidly that he lost track of exact events, and at one point, Lee simply turned and walked away without any further words exchanged.
Momeni then recounted picking up the knife, which had fallen to the ground, and discarding it over the Caltrans fence. He contacted his sister immediately, urging her not to allow Bob back into her apartment due to the volatile incident. Momeni indicated that he felt his sister was not in a rational state to have a detailed conversation about the alarming situation.
Later, he testified that around 6 p.m. on April 4, Khazar’s husband, Dino, discovered her in bed with Jeremy Boivin, leading to a significant confrontation. Momeni participated in a call alongside Dino and Khazar, ultimately siding with Dino during the dispute. He relayed texts from Khazar indicating her internal conflict regarding him, clarifying that such feelings were not connected to Bob’s murder but rather in reference to her relationship with Dino Elyassnia.
Momeni further testified that he only learned about Bob Lee’s tragic death the morning after the incident, expressing complete shock and heartache over the news. “He attacked me, but he didn’t deserve that,” he stated poignantly, illustrating the emotional weight of the encounter.
RELATED: Khazar Momeni takes stand in Bob Lee murder trial, testifies brother did not kill Cash App founder
In a rigorous cross-examination, prosecutor Omid Talai confronted Momeni about the implausibility of Lee, a well-respected figure in the tech community, being driven to violence by a mere joke.
“That was the only one he took to the heart,” testified Momeni, standing firm in his account.
“He did take it to the heart,” Talai countered, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Talai probed Momeni about certain coincidences in his narrative, including the timing of leaving his car at his mother’s house after the murder and the jacket he was wearing that night. Questions also arose regarding Khazar’s messages to Momeni on the day of Bob’s death, where she labeled him as psychotic and threatened to involve law enforcement. Momeni defended his sister, describing her as erratic and emotional, noting that such exchanges were not uncommon in their sibling relationship.
The cross-examination of Nima Momeni is set to continue on Thursday, with the courtroom anticipating further revelations in this gripping trial.
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What implications might Nima Momeni’s self-defense claim have on the jury’s final verdict in the Bob Lee murder case?
**Interview with Legal Analyst on the Bob Lee Murder Case**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today. With Nima Momeni taking the stand in the Bob Lee murder trial, what impact do you think his testimony will have on the jury?
**Legal Analyst:** Thank you for having me. Momeni’s testimony is a critical part of the defense’s strategy. By claiming that he acted in self-defense—asserting that Lee initiated the violence after an off-handed remark—he’s attempting to paint the encounter as a volatile reaction rather than a premeditated act. This could resonate with the jury if they perceive his actions as reactionary and not motivated by intent to kill.
**Interviewer:** Momeni mentioned his upbringing and martial arts training. How significant are these details in the context of his defense?
**Legal Analyst:** These background details serve to humanize Momeni and provide context for his actions. Highlighting his martial arts training may suggest he felt more confident in handling such confrontations, perhaps believing he could control the situation without intending lethal harm. However, it’s also essential for the jury to consider whether this training contributes to or detracts from his credibility.
**Interviewer:** Momeni expressed regret to Bob Lee’s family. Do you think this emotion is genuine, or could it be perceived as strategic?
**Legal Analyst:** That’s a key question. Expressing sorrow can evoke sympathy from the jury and indicate a level of human remorse which could help temper the severity of the charges against him. Yet, some jurors might view it as an attempt to manipulate their feelings, especially if they’re skeptical about the sincerity behind his words given the circumstances of the case.
**Interviewer:** The circumstances leading up to the confrontation included drug-related incidents and significant emotional distress in Momeni’s family. How might these factors weigh in on the trial?
**Legal Analyst:** Such elements can add layers of complexity to the case. The chaotic backdrop—his sister’s distress, drug use, and the dynamics of their interactions—could emphasize a kind of madness to the night, potentially helping the defense paint the situation as unpredictable. However, the jury will need to balance this chaos against the reality of lethal consequences.
**Interviewer:** with the jury deliberations approaching, what are the potential outcomes you foresee?
**Legal Analyst:** The outcomes hinge on the jury’s perception of credibility. If they believe Momeni’s version of events as a legitimate act of self-defense, they may lean towards acquittal or lesser charges. Conversely, if they find his actions overly aggressive or the self-defense claim unconvincing, he could face significant penalties. It’s quite a critical juncture in the trial, and the final decision will reflect their interpretation of justice in this tragic case.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights. The trial is clearly a complex one, and we appreciate you unpacking these details for us.
**Legal Analyst:** My pleasure. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in the coming days.
