Trial Begins for Medical Professionals Accused in Diego Maradona’s Death

Eight medical professionals who formed part of Diego Maradona’s care team will face trial in Argentina, starting March 11th, on charges of culpable homicide related to the football legend’s death. Maradona died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60, weeks after undergoing brain surgery for a blood clot. A nurse will face the trial separately.

If convicted of a crime similar to involuntary manslaughter, the defendants could face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years. The trial, expected to last four months, will take place in San Isidro, a suburb of Buenos Aires, and will feature testimony from over 100 witnesses, including doctors and family members.

The prosecution will present more than 120,000 messages and audio recordings from private conversations between those responsible for Maradona’s care, including his neurologist, psychiatrist, and nurses.

The charges stem from allegations by Maradona’s family, specifically his son Dieguito and daughters Dalma and Gianinna, that negligence by his health team contributed to his death. Their lawyers claim leaked communications demonstrate that Maradona was in imminent danger and that the medical team’s strategy was to prevent family intervention.

A medical board appointed by the prosecutor’s office in 2021 concluded that Maradona’s medical team acted in an “inappropriate, deficient, and reckless manner.”

The defendants, however, deny any wrongdoing and maintain that they did not provide “reckless” or “deficient” treatment. They have described Maradona as a difficult patient who resisted treatment. Maradona had a long history of battling cocaine and alcohol addiction.

An autopsy determined that Maradona died of natural causes, specifically a heart attack. Legal experts suggest that this may make it difficult for the prosecution to establish liability beyond a reasonable doubt, potentially leading to acquittals for most of the defendants. The lawyer representing Maradona’s psychiatrist expressed optimism about an acquittal, arguing that his client was responsible for Maradona’s mental health, not his physical health. The trial promises to be a high-profile and emotionally charged event, revisiting the circumstances surrounding the death of one of football’s most iconic figures.