Who’s Nima Momeni, accused of fatally stabbing Money App founder Bob Lee?
[ad_1]
Lee, 43, was a outstanding tech govt in Silicon Valley whose demise was mourned by different trade heavyweights. His killing was additionally been seized on by conservative figures and tech leaders, together with Twitter CEO Elon Musk, who framed Lee’s demise as the results of previous progressive prosecutors and insurance policies like bail reform, which they declare are answerable for rising crime, violence and homelessness. In actuality, Momeni and Lee knew one another, San Francisco Police Chief William Scott mentioned Thursday. Scott didn’t give extra particulars on their relationship.
Right here’s what we all know up to now in regards to the suspect:
Momeni, an entrepreneur and tech advisor who lived simply outdoors of San Francisco in close by Emeryville, Calif., spent the final 15 years residing and dealing within the San Francisco Bay Space, in line with property and public information.
On the time of Lee’s killing, Momemi listed himself in his LinkedIn profile because the proprietor of Broaden IT, a tech assist and consulting enterprise based mostly in his Emeryville live-work house, since 2010. Broaden IT’s web site had since been taken offline and calls to the corporate searching for touch upon Momeni’s function went unanswered Saturday. His beforehand listed employment on LinkedIn features a string of IT assist and consultancy roles round Northern California.
Little else seems in Momeni’s public document aside from a number of misdemeanor prices from greater than a decade in the past. In 2011, he was charged in Alameda County, Calif., with allegedly promoting a switchblade knife and driving with a suspended license, the San Francisco Chronicle reviews. He pleaded no contest to the driving offense and the knife cost was dismissed. He additionally confronted a DWI cost in 2004, in line with the Chronicle.
Neighbors and previous associates described Momeni as useful and heat, in line with the Chronicle.
“I used to be utterly greatly surprised once I learn his identify within the information this morning,” Akash Sawhney, who met Momeni in 2015 whereas working for the tech start-up Outward, informed the Chronicle. “It didn’t appear in character with what he’s accused of doing — at the least in my interactions with him.”
Momeni listed a number of colleges in his training historical past, however didn’t specify an space of research.
What prices is Momeni dealing with?
Momeni was arrested at his Emeryville live-work house early Thursday and faces a homicide cost, in line with the San Francisco District Legal professional’s Workplace. Momeni additionally faces a sentencing enhancement of utilizing a lethal weapon, a kitchen knife, to commit the crime.
If convicted, Momeni might face between 26 years to life in jail. Whereas the demise penalty remains to be technically authorized in California for crimes resembling homicide, demise sentences are unusual, particularly after Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) introduced a moratorium on the demise penalty in 2019.
The place was Momeni the evening Lee was killed?
Prosecutors have portrayed Lee’s killing as premeditated, counting on safety digicam footage, textual content messages and the character of the weapon used to make their case towards Momeni. The 2 males met up within the early morning hours of April 4 after Lee had allegedly been ingesting earlier that night with Momeni’s youthful sister, Khazar Elyassnia, in line with courtroom information.
Investigators haven’t detailed how Momeni and Lee have been acquainted, however indicated Lee and Elyassnia have been pleasant. An unnamed witness cited in courtroom paperwork who was with Lee and Elyassnia the evening of the killing described her as “married however the relationship had probably been in jeopardy.” The witness indicated that Lee and Elyassnia have been linked however that it was unclear whether or not their relationship was romantic. Lee had not too long ago relocated to Florida however returned to San Francisco usually to go to his two youngsters.
In a nine-page movement filed Friday, prosecutors allege Momeni drove Lee to a “darkish and secluded space in the other way of [Lee’s] resort.” Safety footage seems to indicate the boys exiting the car earlier than Momeni seems to stab Lee, prosecutors say.
Prosecutors additionally indicated Momeni was upset that evening. A witness mentioned Momeni had questioned whether or not his sister was “doing medication or something inappropriate.” Lee assured Momeni nothing inappropriate occurred, in line with courtroom paperwork.
Elyassnia later texted Lee that evening to examine on him and thanked him for dealing with the state of affairs “with class,” in line with courtroom information.
“Simply needed to ensure your [sic] doing okay,” she wrote. “Trigger I do know nima got here wayyyyyy down exhausting on you.”
Prosecutors underscored Momeni’s alleged use of a kitchen knife to kill Lee as additional proof of a “deliberate and deliberate assault.” In contrast to a pocket knife or weapon somebody may recurrently carry, taking a knife from house would require superior planning, in line with prosecutors.
What’s subsequent for Momeni?
Momeni will stay in jail till his new arraignment on April 25.
Scott Canny, the brother of Momeni’s lawyer, appeared in his sister’s place on Friday and informed reporters that Momeni “has family and friends right here in assist” of him. Momeni’s sister, Elyassnia, was amongst his kin who got here to courtroom Friday.
Makes an attempt to achieve Momeni’s kin on Saturday weren’t profitable.
“The info of what occurred, or didn’t happen, will come out over time,” Canny informed reporters.
Caroline O’Donovan contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
No Comment! Be the first one.