Tech executive Nima Momeni, 38, facing charges of murder in the death of Cash App founder Bob Lee made an appearance in San Francisco on Tuesday. He was accompanied by his high-profile attorney Paula Canny.

When he was escorted by police into the courtroom for his arraignment hearing and the reading of the coroner's report the suspect was relaxed and smiling.

Momeni is accused of stabbing the unarmed Lee, 43, multiple times with a kitchen knife. The murder took place in the early morning hours of April 4.

The accused killer's arraignment was pushed back for the third time. His attorney Paula Canny told the judge she needs more time to prepare. And that the mixture of drugs and alcohol revealed in the victim's autopsy makes a big difference to the defense.

The hearing was postponed until May 18. And Momeni is preparing to plead not guilty.

High-profile attorney 

Police claim that the surveillance footage near the west edge of the San Francisco Bay Bridge shows the events. The images are dark but they appear to reveal Momeni stabbing Lee in his BMW after driving him to the secluded part of town.

 Momeni's lawyer, Paula Canny claims the surveillance footage is not convincing. And says, “He's gonna plead not guilty, and he's gonna deny the special allegation and absolutely the plea will be not guilty.” 

Paula Canny, 68, and her brother, Robert Canny are principals at a successful law practice in Burlingame. She is known for her celebrity clients including, Greg Anderson, the personal trainer who refused to testify against his trainee. She also represented San Francisco Giants all-star Barry Bonds. And Eliana Lopez Urbina, the wife of former San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, who was accused of domestic violence.

Canny has suggested police arrested the wrong person. “Clearly, they seem to think they have enough to make an arrest, but I haven't seen it. So, until I see it and analyze it, I'm gonna say they've made a mistake. There isn't enough to hold him. My client is a super nice person, his family loves him and supports him.” 

Momeni family issues

Friends have claimed that Momeni’s sister Khazar was romantically involved with Lee. Khazar is married to prominent plastic surgeon Dino Elyassnia. Her friend Samira Kuduzovi said, "She was basically asking me to buy drugs with my money."

 Police sources said on the day of his murder, Lee and Khazar visited the home of a man who has a criminal record for dealing drugs. It's unclear if they purchased any from him that day.

A previously filed court motion says the trio was 'drinking' at his home. The man in question has not been named.

The apparent connection to drugs ties into an earlier claim that Lee argued with Nima Momeni about Khazar.  Nima was allegedly concerned his sister was involved with the drug culture. 

Lee, according to the friends, assured him she was not. Robert Canny spoke on behalf of Khazar Momeni and her husband at her brother's first court appearance.