Suspect to plead not guilty in Bob Lee murder, attorney says after another postponement
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Another postponement happened Tuesday in the case against the man accused of stabbing and killing tech executive and Cash App founder Bob Lee.
A judge granted a request by suspect Nima Momeni's attorney, moving his arraignment to next week.
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The 38-year-old tech entrepreneur has yet to answer to the murder charge against him.
At around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, cameras got the first glimpse of Momeni, dressed in an orange jumpsuit. His defense attorney Paula Canny argued she needs additional discovery or evidence.
"To do my job effectively I need the police reports that's why I said that sort of thing like it's not rocket science if the police are going to make an arrest they are duty bound to make these materials available to defense counsel," said Canny.
Canny said when the time comes, Momeni will plead not guilty.
"We have provided discovery on a rolling basis as we do in every case," said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
Jenkins says Lee's autopsy report isn't ready and that the medical examiner's office typically produces them within 60 days.
"I don't know why San Francisco wouldn't be able to provide what any other county could provide in a timely way," said Canny.
TIMELINE: Events leading up to fatal SF stabbing of Bob Lee shown in court documents
Jenkins said the DA's Office was prepared for Momeni's arraignment to take place Tuesday.
"Certainly it is to the disappointment of Mr. Lee's family and our office that we are not being able to proceed forward with this case," said Jenkins.
Momeni's defense attorney says once she receives the discovery she's requested, she'll file her opposition to the prosecutor's detention motion. Canny says Momeni is not a flight risk. Right now, he's being held without bail.
"People who possess a greater financial means present more of a flight risk certainly in a situation where they are facing life in prison," said Jenkins.
About two dozen people described as friends and family of victim Bob Lee were in court Tuesday, including his two young daughters.
However, a noticeable absence Tuesday morning was Momeni's sister who was at his last court appearance.
The DA's Office has said Momeni's sister is the link between Lee and Momeni.
ABC7 News I-Team reporter Melanie Woodrow asked Canny about the alleged text message Momeni's sister sent Lee, in which she checks in on him and references Nima "coming wayyyyyy down hard on him."
"As a defense lawyer it wouldn't be the one that I would pick to release, but as a prosecutor, of course that's the text message that they chose to release," said Canny.
Canny told ABC7 News Momeni's sister wasn't in court Tuesday because it was so traumatic last time with all the cameras there. She also said she doesn't believe the surveillance images in the case are very clear.
DA Jenkins says her office is confident they have sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Momeni murdered Bob Lee.
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Lee, who was in town from Miami, was attending a work summit.
He was stabbed and killed in the early morning hours of April 4 on Main Street, near Harrison.
Momeni was arrested nine days later.
The next court date has been set for Tuesday, May 2.
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