The second trial over the death of Diego Maradona reached a critical juncture on Thursday in San Isidro, Argentina, as prosecutors Patricio Ferrari and Cosme Iribarren delivered their final arguments and requested criminal penalties for the accused medical professionals, Página|12 reported. Prosecutors told the court that the iconic footballer’s health condition was a “ticking time bomb” that was inadequately managed by his care team during home hospitalization.
San Isidro Prosecutors Request Penalties for Medical Defendants
Seven defendants face charges of simple homicide with eventual intent following the November 25, 2020 death of the legendary athlete. The accused group includes neurosurgeon and personal physician Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Díaz, nurse Ricardo Omar Almirón, nursing coordinator Mariano Perroni, general practitioner Pedro Di Spagna, and Swiss Medical home care coordinator Nancy Edith Forlini. Family members, including Maradona’s daughters Dalma, Gianinna, and Jana, alongside former partners Claudia Villafañe and Verónica Ojeda, attended the hearing alongside legal representatives.
Opening the final arguments, prosecutor Patricio Ferrari challenged narratives suggesting the former Argentina captain died suddenly. Ferrari stated that more than 70 witnesses testified across more than 40 hearings, backed by evidentiary chat logs and audio recordings that dismantled multiple myths surrounding the case. He accused the medical team of acting as a group of improvisers who treated a vulnerable patient with indifference and increased his risk beyond acceptable limits.
Forensic Findings Show Maradona Suffered Multi-Organ Failure
Detailing the conditions of Maradona’s care, prosecutor Cosme Iribarren outlined the patient’s extensive medical history. Iribarren noted that Maradona was not a healthy individual recovering simply from a surgical procedure, but rather a complex patient dealing with renal, neurological, cardiac, and hepatic issues, alongside problematic alcohol consumption. Forensic findings presented to the court indicated that Maradona suffered from multi-organ failure—specifically cardiorepatrenal failure—and experienced a prolonged agony rather than a sudden passing.
Ferrari categorized the home care setup in the San Andrés neighborhood as chaotic, arguing that the residence failed to meet the standards of a proper sanatorium. While prosecutors maintained that defendants including Luque, Forlini, Cosachov, Díaz, Perroni, and Almirón voluntarily assumed roles that placed Maradona in a situation of abandonment, they notably excluded Pedro Di Spagna from the requested penalty list during this phase of the arguments.
Judicial Recess Precedes Next Hearing Phase
Following the presentation by the San Isidro prosecution team, presiding judges declared a recess before proceeding to hear arguments from plaintiff attorney Eduardo Ramírez, who represents Diego Junior. The judicial proceedings continue to examine the accountability of the medical personnel involved in the final weeks of the player’s life.
Related reading
