An Argentina Appeal Court has determined that eight health professionals will stand trial for their alleged participation in the murder of football great Diego Maradona.
The eight were charged with “simple murder with wanton disregard,” as sought by prosecutors, and may face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Maradona died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60, after heart failure following brain surgery earlier that month.
The San Isidro Board of Appeals confirmed that neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, and six other health personnel engaged in Maradona’s medical care will be tried after a majority decision not to dismiss the case.
The trial date has yet to be determined, but it is likely to begin in 2024.
One of the justices of the San Isidro appeals court, Carlos Fabian Blanco, stated that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence for the eight health professionals to stand trial.
Nursing coordinator Mariano Perroni, nurses Ricardo Omar Almiron and Gisella Madrid, psychologist Carlos Diaz, medical coordinator Nancy Forlini, and clinical doctor Pedro Di Spagna will all be tried.
An autopsy indicated that Maradona died in his sleep from acute pulmonary edoema, an accumulation of fluid in the lungs caused by congestive heart failure.
The investigation also revealed that the 1986 World Cup winner’s heart weighed nearly twice as much as a normal heart owing to a litany of medical issues caused by drugs and alcohol.
A medical board was legally constituted to examine Maradona’s death, and it ruled that numerous members of his medical staff operated in a “inappropriate, defective, and dangerous way,” and that he was not properly monitored before he died.
The medical report also stated that “the patient’s signals of risk of life were neglected,” and that Maradona “showed unmistakable evidence of a lengthy suffering period” for at least 12 hours.
Dalma, one of Maradona’s children, commented on Instagram following the court ruling: “Many times the process is difficult and lengthy, and we will not stop until justice is done!” Everyone who stops doing their work (at someone’s request or due to inefficiency) will be held accountable!”
