A San Francisco jury has found tech consultant Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of Bob Lee, the founder of Cash App. Lee was fatally stabbed during a dispute in April 2023, a case that ignited a public debate about crime in San Francisco, particularly following comments from Elon Musk and other high-profile figures.
Momeni was accused of stabbing Lee multiple times, including a fatal wound to the heart, during a confrontation reportedly linked to a dispute involving Momeni’s sister. Jurors rejected claims that Momeni acted in self-defence but did not find enough evidence to prove premeditation, leading to a second-degree murder verdict.
The case drew widespread attention after Musk, on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), claimed that Lee’s death reflected a horrific violent crime in San Francisco. Musk’s comments quickly went viral, sparking concerns about public safety in the city. However, police investigations revealed that the attack stemmed from a personal conflict, not random violence.
Speaking after the verdict, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins criticised Musk’s portrayal of the city, stating that Elon Musk’s efforts to shame San Francisco were incorrect. She emphasised that the crime was not a reflection of widespread lawlessness.
Momeni now faces a potential sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Lee’s family expressed relief at the outcome. “We’re happy that Nima Momeni won’t be on the streets, no longer has the opportunity to harm anyone else in this world,” Lee’s brother, Timothy Oliver Lee, told reporters.