Bob Lee’s friend testifies about ‘bizarre’ phone call from accused murderer Nina Momeni

SAN FRANCISCO – A friend of murdered tech executive Bob Lee testified Wednesday that the victim received a “bizarre” call from Nima Momeni the night before the murder in which Momeni accused Lee of being inappropriate with his sister.

Momeni sounded like an “overprotective brother” as he questioned Lee about alleged drug use and sexual activity at a party, Lee’s friend Borzoyeh Mohazzabi said on the third day of Momeni’s murder trial in San Francisco Superior Court.

Under questioning by prosecutor Omid Talai, Mohazzabi said that Lee appeared “calm” and “calm” that night, but that Momeni appeared upset during the call and asked Lee, “What did she take?” referring to Momeni’s sister.

The prosecution is trying to paint a portrait of an angry Momeni setting out in April 2023 to avenge what he sees as injustice against his sister. But the defense says it was Lee, the Cash App founder, who attacked Momeni with a knife and that Momeni grabbed the gun and killed Lee in self-defense.

Earlier Wednesday, Momeni’s lawyers completed their cross-examination of San Francisco police officer Rosalyn Check, a crime scene investigator.

The defense peppered her with questions about why a bloody knife found near the crime scene was not checked for fingerprints, hoping to cast doubt on the police investigation.

The officer said the rubber on the handle made it difficult to process the knife for prints.

Khazar Momeni, the defendant’s sister, is expected to take the stand during the trial. Prosecutors said she once described her brother as “psychotic.”

KTVU legal analyst Michael Cardoza says she will be a key witness.

“Certainly the prosecution believes it will help them prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Cardoza said. “On the other hand, you never know what the witness is going to do on the stand and she could clearly do a 180 on you and if the cross-examination analyzes her enough it could actually be beneficial to the defense.”

The trial continues on Thursday.

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. Email Henry at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan