Prosecution arguments conclude in Diego Maradona death trial

Diego Maradona's family this week called for his medical team to be given stiff prison terms over what two of his daughters branded his "murder.”

Seven medical professionals have been on trial since April over Maradona's death on November 25, 2020, while receiving care at home in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, following surgery for a brain haematoma.

The captain and star of Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning team died aged 60 of cardiorespiratory arrest and acute pulmonary oedema.

His medical team is accused of providing grossly inadequate care in the lead-up to his death. They deny the charges.

Maradona's family are divided over the severity of the punishment they believe his carers should face, with the most significant disagreement centring on psychologist Carlos Díaz.

A lawyer for two of his daughters, Dalma and Gianinna, on Wednesday accused his carers of "murder" and called for six of the seven defendants to be convicted.

"They killed a mythological hero," lawyer Fernando Burlando said, accusing the defendants of "brutal indifference" to the icon's fate.

Burlando asked for neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, one of Maradona's principal doctors and a personal friend, to receive 15 years in prison, medical coordinator Nancy Forlini 12 years and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov 10 years.

"They had time to change treatments and give Maradona a chance of survival, but they did nothing. The indifference was brutal," Burlando said. He described the arrangements for the footballer's care as "imprisonment disguised as medical attention".

Counsel for the champion's three sisters – Rita, Claudia and Ana – sought terms of up to 10 years for five defendants, but called for Díaz to be acquitted.

The request surprised Dalma and Gianinna, who were in court in San Isidro, north of Buenos Aires. Gianinna broke down in tears, while both sisters expressed their dismay.

"I understood that we all wanted the same justice for my dad, and the truth is that yesterday was a very unpleasant surprise, and today it has been confirmed again," Dalma told news channel DNews during a break in proceedings.

On Tuesday, a lawyer representing Maradona's youngest son, 13-year-old Diego Fernando Maradona, also called for prison terms for members of the medical team, while the family’s five legal representatives broadly agreed that Luque, Cosachov and Forlini bore the greatest responsibility for the death.

State prosecutors began their closing arguments last week, seeking 12 years in prison for Luque, 10 for Forlini and eight for Cosachov over alleged homicide with dolo eventual – a charge involving awareness that one's actions or omissions could lead to death.

They also sought five years for Díaz and four years each for nurse Ricardo Almirón and his coordinator Mariano Perroni on charges of negligent homicide.

All parties called for the acquittal of physician Pedro Di Spagna, who would consequently face no further charges.

The court is due to hear the defence closing arguments next week before delivering its verdict on a date yet to be determined.

– TIMES/AFP