Bob Lee Murder Case: Friend of Nima Momeni's Sister, Former Medical Examiner Testify

Opening Statements Begin in Murder Trial of Bob Lee

Opening statements began Tuesday in the murder trial of Bob Lee, the man accused of killing 25-year-old Nima Momeni in March 2022. Lee has pleaded not guilty to murder and is being held without bail.

In her opening statement, Assistant District Attorney Amanda Wise told the jury that Lee had been in an "intimate relationship" with Momeni's sister for several months, and that the two had argued on the night of the murder. Wise said that Lee had gone to Momeni's apartment the night of the murder and the two had gotten into a fight.

Wise said that Lee had strangled Momeni and then used a knife to cut her throat. She said that Lee had then fled the apartment and left Momeni's body in the bathtub.

Friend of Nima Momeni's Sister Testifies

The first witness to testify was Mina Karimi, a friend of Momeni's sister. Karimi testified that she had spoken to Momeni's sister on the phone the night of the murder. She said that Momeni's sister had told her that she was arguing with Lee and that he was "acting crazy."

Karimi said that Momeni's sister had told her that Lee had left the apartment after the argument, and that she had not seen him since.

Former Medical Examiner Testifies

The second witness to testify was Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco, a former medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Momeni. Sammarco testified that Momeni had died from strangulation and that her throat had been cut.

She said that the injuries were consistent with being caused by a sharp object, such as a knife.

Cross-Examination

During cross-examination, Lee's attorney, David Smith, asked Sammarco if she could be certain that Lee had caused Momeni's injuries. Sammarco said that she could not be certain, but that the injuries were consistent with being caused by Lee.

Smith also asked Sammarco if she had considered the possibility that Momeni had committed suicide. Sammarco said that she had considered that possibility, but that she did not believe it was likely.

The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks.