Nima Momeni, the man accused of killing tech executive Bob Lee in San Francisco, took the stand in his own defense Wednesday and testified he was simply defending himself against a drug-fueled attacker.
On the stand, Momeni told his version of the events leading up to and following the deadly confrontation with Lee. He told the jury it was Lee who pulled a knife from his jacket and lunged at him. His testimony also included an odd demonstration with his attorney about how he said he defended himself.
Momeni said in the hours leading up to their drive together, he didn't have any ill will toward Lee. In fact, he said Lee had reassured him that his sister was in good hands with his friends at a party earlier that evening.
When Lee arrived at Momeni's sister's home in the Millennium Tower, Momeni said he and Lee spoke for a long time before leaving, including a conversation about visiting a strip club. But as they were driving, Lee spilled a drink in Momeni's car, so they pulled over on Main Street. Lee insisted he wanted to clean it up.
While stopped, Momeni said Lee spotted a cannister of nitrous oxide his sister had left in the car. Lee took a hit from it and then said he wanted to go back to his hotel for some cocaine.
Momeni said he was getting tired and made a bad joke. He said the joke infuriated Lee.That's when Momeni said Lee pulled a knife and the confrontation happened. Momeni demonstrated with his attorney how he tried to defend himself.
Momeni told the jury he pushed Lee toward a Caltrans fence and Lee began to walk away.
Momeni said he saw the knife on the sidewalk and thew it over the fence because he didn't want to have to come back for it. He drove off, he said, because he didn't know Lee was injured.
"For Mr. Momeni, the real proof in this case will be how well he holds up on cross examination because he will be grilled," legal analyst Steven Clark said.
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That's exactly what happened on the stand. At certain points, the questions and answers between the prosecutor and Momeni became tense.
Momeni's testimony was confusing at times and tough to follow, but the cross examination became very tense. At one point, it became so tense the judge had to step in and calmly describe to both sides that they should calmly ask and answer questions.
