The word “murder” is spoken at the trial
At the trial over Diego Maradona’s death, the civil parties have hardened their tone. On Wednesday in San Isidro, Fernando Burlando, lawyer for Dalma and Gianinna, the two eldest daughters of the 1986 world champion, asked for up to 15 years in prison for the main defendants from the medical team, whom he accuses of “murder”.
“They killed a mythological hero,” the lawyer declared, denouncing a “deadly circle” and a “brutal indifference” around the Argentine idol, who was then being treated at home after surgery.
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Three defendants in the spotlight
Three health professionals face the heaviest sentences: neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, 44, Maradona’s former trusted doctor, medical coordinator Nancy Forlini, 57, and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, 41.
Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari had asked for 12, 10 and 8 years against them, respectively. Burlando went up to 15 years for Luque, 12 for Forlini and 10 for Cosachov. On Tuesday, the lawyer for Dieguito, Maradona’s youngest son, had asked for up to 16 years against Luque.
The three are being tried for homicide with possible intent, meaning negligence committed knowing it could cause death. For the others, the prosecution kept the lesser charge of involuntary homicide, with for example four years sought against nursing coordinator Mariano Perroni and nurse Ricardo Almiron.
One defendant draws consensus, another divides
Only one of the seven defendants finds favour with both the prosecution and the civil parties: doctor Pedro di Spagna, who saw Maradona only once during his convalescence. All have asked for his acquittal.
Psychologist and addiction specialist Carlos Diaz divides opinion more. Prosecutors asked for five years, Dieguito’s lawyer sought 12, while the lawyer for another Maradona daughter, Jana, called for his acquittal, which angered Dalma and Gianinna.
A death at 60, questions still open
Maradona died on 25 November 2020, aged 60, of a cardio-respiratory arrest combined with pulmonary edema. He was found dead on his bed in a residence in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, rented for his recovery after benign brain surgery.
Since mid-April, seven health professionals have been on trial in San Isidro. Closing arguments from the defence follow next week, then the verdict will be reserved for a later date. The defendants remain presumed innocent until a decision is handed down.
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