The ongoing murder trial of Nima Momeni, accused of killing Cash App founder Bob Lee, has been marked by testimonial inconsistencies and disputed expert witness credibility. Several points of contention have emerged around Momeni's statements and the defense's expert evidence in the latest proceedings.
Momeni's third day on the witness stand brought discrepancies to the forefront, as he appeared to contradict previous testimony regarding his knowledge of Lee's family ties. Initially, Momeni claimed ignorance of Lee's familial relations, a fact called into question by the prosecution. "I just — he didn’t act like it," Momeni said after admitting he did know of Lee's family, according to Mission Local.
The jury raised questions about the events that followed the altercation. According to Mission Local, Momeni defended his lack of immediate action after the incident, stating, "Everything seemed fine at the time," and disclosing that he warned his sister to prevent Lee from returning to her residence. He learned of Lee's death through a news article and then sought legal counsel.
In the realm of expert testimony, retired SFPD Inspector Steven Pomatto took the stand, reiterating the defense's self-defense claim, suggesting that Lee's wounds were consistent with an altercation where Lee might have initially attacked with a knife. However, the defense's case faced a setback when prosecutor Omid Talai challenged Pomatto's credentials, focusing on his compensation and his claims regarding his experience. Pomatto denied lying about having been a Navy SEAL on the job application but acknowledged receiving $400 an hour for his testimony and not having homicide investigation experience, as KTVU reported.
