A San Francisco judge sentenced Nima Momeni to 16 years to life in prison on Tuesday for the 2023 stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee^1,2,4,5.

Momeni, 42, was convicted of second-degree murder in December 2024 after a jury found he intentionally killed Lee but without premeditation^3,4,5. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Alexandra Gordon imposed the term; ABC7 reported it was without probation^1,2.

Lee was stabbed on April 4, 2023, under the Bay Bridge in San Francisco's East Cut neighborhood and died after calling 911^1,4,5. Police and prosecutors said Momeni and Lee knew each other and had argued over Momeni's sister, Khazar Momeni, and related drug use^2,4.

Prosecutors said Momeni killed Lee after learning of alleged abuse involving his sister; Momeni's trial lawyers said he acted in self-defense after Lee lunged with a knife^1,4. Lee had cocaine, ketamine and alcohol in his system, Engadget reported¹.

Gordon denied a motion for a new trial. Defense attorney Daniel Shriro, who took the case after Momeni fired his trial lawyers, argued under the California Racial Justice Act and alleged trial errors; Gordon rejected those claims^1,3,4.

Lee's brother Oliver told the court Lee's children would not make more memories with their father³. Engadget said Momeni's lawyers plan to appeal¹.

Lee's death was initially described by some tech figures, including Elon Musk, as evidence of random San Francisco street crime; later reporting described it as a personal dispute^1,4,6.