New Trial Begins Over Maradona’s Death in Argentina, Medical Team Charged with Negligent Homicide

A trial over the death of Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona is set to begin on Tuesday. Seven members of his medical team are charged with negligent homicide, following a mistrial in a previous case.

Maradona died on November 25, 2020, at age 60 after a heart attack while recuperating from brain surgery to remove a blood clot.

The court in San Isidro, near Buenos Aires, will hear testimony from nearly 100 witnesses as it tries Maradona’s medical team over alleged negligence.

Defendants include psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychologist Carlos Angel Diaz, physician Nancy Edith Forlini, nurse Ricardo Almiron, head nurse Mariano Ariel Perroni, and physician Pedro Pablo Di Spagna. An eighth defendant, nurse Dahiana Madrid, will be tried in a separate trial.

The first trial began last March but ended in a mistrial when one of the judges resigned after being caught on camera conducting interviews for a documentary.

Prosecutors argue that medical professionals broke treatment protocols and that Maradona’s home was not adequately equipped to provide necessary care. The defense contends his death was inevitable due to his long-standing health issues, including cocaine and alcohol addiction.

In 2021, prosecutors appointed a medical board which concluded the team acted inappropriately, deficiently, and recklessly. Convicted defendants could face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years.