Innocence. I lost my childhood. Our exclusive interview with the alleged victim. Plus, a promising discovery in the fight against cancer. Were talking to the stanford scientist behind it. And theres a potential connection between elon musk and the as proposed move to las vegas. Well explain. Good evening. This is nbc bay area news tonight. Im raj mathai. We start with those big developments involving former President Trump, indicted for a third case, this time for attempting to overturn the 2020 election. Among the Big Questions this evening, will this derail his upcoming 2024 president ial bid . The new charges revealed this afternoon. Three counts of conspiracy and one count of obstruction. The indictment accuses the former president of spreading false claims about the previous election and then trying to use those claims to overturn the election results. The charges stem from an investigation by special counsel jack smith, whos been looking into mr. Trumps role in the january 6th attack on the capitol. Mr. Trump is not facing any charges for inciting the riot, but special counsel smith called the insurrection an unprecedented assault on the seat of american democracy. The attack on our nations capitol on january 6th, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of american democracy. As described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the u. S. Government. The former president responding to the new indictment, calling it a witch hunt. Thats what he said previously as well, and questioning the timing of this case, which is happening as he campaigns for president. His Statement Reads in part, why didnt they bring this ridiculous case 2. 5 years ago . They wanted it right in the middle of my campaign, thats why. Coming up, well be joined by a former federal prosecutor to dive deeper into this case and if mr. Trump can still run for president if hes found guilty. Carlos singh joins us in just a few minutes. Our other headlines this evening, that huge fire at a construction site in San Francisco. Take a look. It happened early this morning in hayes valley around a lot of buildings and a lot of restaurants. Tonight, among the questions, how did it start . This was at the corner of octavia and oak. The flames got so hot and so intense, windows were knocked out across the street. 140 firefighters battled this blaze for about two hours before they got it contained. The building is right up against several homes. No other buildings were burned, but eight people were evacuated in nearby buildings. At this point, no word on what caused this fire. Also tonight, the family of tech executive bob lee relieved that his accused killer will stand trial for murder. The ruling came from a San Francisco judge. It comes after a twoday hearing. Nima momeni is accused of stabbing bob lee in april. His defense team argued momeni didnt have any ill will toward bob lee and no reason to kill him. The District Attorneys Office presented video showing the two men together at the Millennium Tower just 30 minutes before the deadly stabbing. They also showed the alleged murder weapon, a knife thats the same brand as other kitchen knives found in momenis sisters condo at the Millennium Tower. That knife was later found near where lee was stabbed with lees blood on the blade and momenis dna on the handle of the knife. We chatted with bob lees exwife, krista lee. Bob was one of the most nonviolent men you ever would have met, very respectful, and was more loving. If there was an argument, he would prefer to handle it with words and dignity rather than violence. Nima momeni will remain in jail until his trial. His next court date is august 15th. Heres something that caught our attention. A robbery crew busted for a Million Dollar jewelry heist thanks in part to a tracking device inside a rolex. The smashandgrab happened at heller jewelers in san ramon in march. Among the items stolen, 38 highend watches. What they didnt know is one of those watches, the rolex, had a th tracker helped police develop some critical leads. We started receiving updates that the watch was traveling into oakland area and again into the san leandro area. It was traveling around, and then it became stationary for a while. Investigators also discovered a Police Insider was leaking information about the investigation to the suspects. More arrests are expected. Crime is on the minds of many people tonight as they meet with cops in their own communities. Its National Night out across the country and here in the bay area. Nbcs Marianne Favro joins us from one of the Community Events in san jose. Reporter take a look at this line. It goes all the way down the block. More than 200 people are expected to attend this National Night out event here in east san jose, and theyll get to enjoy a raffle. They have free backpacks. They have socks for seniors, games, free food. But the whole idea is for neighbors to get out of their homes and strategize and socialize and come together and talk about ways that they can fight crime in their neighborhood. People will also get a chance to talk oneonone with Police Officers about their crime concerns, and thats something that officers dont often have time to do, especially when theyre out on patrols. So it looks like its going to be a fun night, and its heavily attended. Back to you. We also have new reporting tonight about the ongoing Sexual Abuse Scandal within the catholic church. A longtime catholic schoolteacher in the south bay now facing allegations of sexual abuse. The claims coming to light in a new lawsuit fighted against the church. Our Investigative ReporterCandice Nguyen spoke to the alleged victim. She said the abuse started while she was in sixth grade and continued until she was 17. Jane doe cannot publicly name the teacher in her lawsuit until a judge signs off, so we are not identifying him. But hes still alive and recently retired from a long teaching career. There was touching, kissing that led all the way up to everything. Everything was on the table. I was 12. What do i know about sex and feelings . Its abuse. He took advantage of my innocence. I lost my childhood. I never had one. It molded me for what i was the rest of my life. Joining us now is Investigative ReporterCandice Nguyen, whos been reporting on this Church Scandal for years. Those details were hard to hear in that interview. What else stood out to you about what she said . We have talked to Church Victims of all ages, of all backgrounds, and there are a lot of differences in the cases. But when it comes to the impacts, theyre quite similar, raj. Im talking about depression, anxiety, drugs and alcohol, incarceration, and sometimes suicide as well. Just to be clear, were not going to name the people and also the schools or teachers involved as of right now, correct . In this case with this teacher whos accused in her lawsuit, a judge has not signed off. Until that judge does, we are not naming the person accused. Youve been following mostly about priests. Now were talking about a teacher. Are there more teachers involved from what your reporting suggests . There are more teachers and more lay employees. Our unit, we have reviewed hundreds of these cases, more than a thousand new lawsuits in northern california. Out of the cases weve reviewed, quite a number are lay employees. Were talking about teachers like in this case, coaches, and janitors. The churchs response to your reporting specifically about this story . We have not heard from the church. Theyre declining to give us an interview. They say theyll follow the proper Legal Process to respond. Usually is this their typical game plan, or do they usually respond to these reports . Sometimes well get a statement. We have never gotten an interview. As of recently, they have stuck to this Legal Process. Candice, thank you. We want to return to our top story. The latest indictment against President Trump. Its three indictments now. Whats the impact for next years election . Joining us this evening, carlos singh, a former federal prosecutor and current professor at san jose state. Nice to have you back on the program. Its hard to keep track, right, of all these legal issues mr. Trump is facing. This is his third indictment. Like he said in a statement today, carlos, why wait 2 1 2 years tthis . Well, tha may be a question that the department of justice may have to answer given that im sure that been a question on the minds of even prosecutors. Ive tho a that qu and i only the Department Justice that can answer thaquestion. T aot ofimes just to be fair theases do take a long time to investigate, a the proshe speciouns want toake sure that hes got his evideined up. Theres obviously more than o case against him. S the maralago case down in florida. And wave to think about it, the fact that the special counsel has only been in office for about a year or so. So this is rather quick in terms of these indictments that have come forward. Youre a former federal prosecutor. There are six coconspirators in this case. Why arent they named . Im assuming theres some big names in there. Well, yes. It names five attorneys and one political consultant. These are unindicted coconspirators. My sense is part of the reason is that jack smith wants to get this case to trial real soon. It avoids the situation of dealing with six defendants, six lawyers, claims on filing motions, and really hes got his sights on one defendant, and that is the former president. And so it just streamlines the case and largely because what the allegations are is that the president knew, according to the allegations, that these claims were false. In other words, that he had been cheated out of the election, and he knew they were false given the specifics that are provided in the indictment. And so, therefore, the focus is on him, and its not to say that some of the coconspirators or the unindicted coconspirators will not testify. They will. As a matter of fact, most of the witnesses, reading between the lines in the indictment are former officials in the white house, former officials in his republican administration, and various other officials. So in a way, its going to be former republicans testifying against him. Okay. Forgive me if this sounds somewhat of a crazy question here. But professor singh, say former President Trump is found guilty for overturning or trying to overturn the election results. Can he still run for president next year . There is nothing in the law that precludes him from running in the election, and so technically speaking he could be in jail. If he wins the election, interesting whether or not he can pardon himself. That is a real issue here because as i looked into it, this indictment is out of washington, d. C. And so the stats there indicate that even a normal case, it takes about a year to resolve the matter, take it to trial, get it sentenced. And at this point, were very close to the next novembers election. And also even closer to the likelihood that in about march, the primaries will be over, and well know who the republican candidate is going to be. And if you watch the polls now, its likely the former president. So hes going to have an argument to make to say, hey, look, its the Biden Administration seeking to indict or seeking to put in jail his chief opponent. And thats going to be a sticky political situation. Final question the last few seconds here. Are you just surprised from a legal standpoint that were seeing all of this unfold before our eyes . Well, not really. Having been on the inside, in other words, a former federal prosecutor, and having a sense of what the evidence is, the indictment specifies, for example, that he knew that he was that he and his conspirators were advancing false claims and lies. He was told, i think the indictment notes, eight or nine different instances from white house officials to politicians to his staff that he had lost the election and nonetheless he proceeded to pursue these claims in order to, you know, take back the white house through false accusations and false statements. Its fascinating what were going through. Carlos singh from san jose state, appreciate your perspective and your time this evening. Thank you so much. Thank you, professor. Still to come here at 7 00, a potential breakthrough to fighting cancer. Were talking to the bay area scientist behind the latest research. Also, could elon musk play a key role in the as move to las vegas . Youre watching nbc bay area news tonight. Welcome back to nbc bay area news tonight. The as,s know, are tryin to naiown all those d ofir potential move to las vegas. Some of the ballpark plans could involve elon musk. The Las Vegas Review journal reporting the as stadium designer, brad strzok, told them the team has talked about making the hyperloop part of their transportation plans. The vegas hyperloop is supposed to contain 68 miles of underground tunnels throughout the city. It will connect major landmarks like the strip, downtown vegas, and the airport. It could include the as proposed ballpark. The as stadium designer said fans could literally pop up inside the ballpark if all goes to plan. Now, the as are currently redrawing the renderings you see here. Theyll need to fit the park into the proposed tropicana site and reimagine that retractable roof. The as also need approval from the Major League Baseball owners to make the movove and leave oakland. If youre hoping to become the next Mega Millions billionaire, you have about 20 minutes to get your ticket. Tonights 8 00 drawings for a jackpot worth more than 1 billion. Thats billion with a b. But you have to buy your ticket before 7 45 tonight. If you choose the lump sum, you take home about 527 million. As a consolation prize for everyone who loses, which will be most of us, you can take one losing Lottery Ticket to a krispy kreme donut tomorrow or wednesday and trade in that losing ticket for a free glazed donut. Lets take a live look outside now in the north bay. Our live camera in san rafael. Jeff ranieri is going to join us next, talk about the heatup thats coming our way ia few daysn n. Welcome back. Something special could be happening over at stanford. What if you could treat cancer by making it turn against itself . A team of bay area researchers believe they may have found a way. The treatment is a long way from becoming reality, but if developed, it has the potential to treat many types of cancer. Joining us now, dr. Jerry crabtree, a developmental biologist at stanford and the lead researcher on this case, dr. Crabtree, nice to have you on the program. If possible here, in laymans terms, can you explain your discovery and how it could help fight cancers . Well, you described it very well. Were causing cancer to turn against itself, essentially taking the Cancer Drivers, genes that are mutated that cause the cancer and that normally are connected to mechanisms that cause a cancer cell to proliferate and to spread, and were rerouting and rewiring the signals from those Cancer Drivers to activate genes that cause cell death. So all cells have within them the potential to be eliminated for the good of the organism. So were connecting these two pathways that are not normally connected in cancers and actually are kept apart so that now the cancer driver drives not proliferation but, rather, the death of the cell. So weve done this through a rather simple trick, a small molecule that we hope will develop into a drug, and were working at that right now. Amazing youre describing this as something that seems so simple that youre on to. How did you come up with this . Was it just an epiphany in the middle of the night . Well, yeah, it was a walk in the redwoods near my house in the santa cruz mountains. Suddenly the idea occurred to me over the past 40 years, one of the major accomplishments in Cancer Research was the identification of Cancer Drivers. These genes that, when mutated, drive the cancer proliferation. And then at the same time, developmental biologists like myself had identified pathways of programmed cell death that cause cells to be eliminated for the good of the organism. So, for example, limp oh cites that reacted to cells. Antigens are rapidly eliminated by this means. About 60 billion cells are eliminated every day from our bodies by these very efficient cell death mechanisms. It was a matter of harvesting the cancer driver, rerouting its signals to the cell death pathways. You should take a walk in the redwoods more often, doctor. Whats the timetable for this becoming a reality . Are we talking 5 years away or 20 years away potentially . Well, you know, we have molecules right now that look really good. It takes a long time to make sure theyre safe and make certain that theyre truly effective. You know, were just testing them in mice, and they look very good in mice. Who knows what will happen when we start working with rats and other animals and eventually humans. So were starting a long path to the development of these molecules and as potential new treatments for many cancers. But we dont know how long it will take really. It could be as short as three to four years. It could be as long as ten years. Dr. Crabtree over at stanford, i think youre inspiring a lot of people with your research. Appreciate your time tonight. Thank you. Have a good evening. Lets bring in jeff ranieri now. So exciting. One of the best parts of living here. We have people in our own backyard that are doing some amazing research, and a lot of it comes to fruition. It sounds so promising. I know a lot of people have been touched by that deadly disease, so really anxious to see what comes out of that. Our microclimate forecast as we head into tomorrows forecast, that fog is goin