March 11 – Seven members of Diego Maradona’s medical team who treated the former Argentine superstar before his death have gone on trial, charged with homicide, in Buenos Aires.
The case revolves around allegations that negligence by the health care professionals contributed to Maradona’s death in 2020 at the age of 60, which triggered an outpouring of grief in his native Argentina and across the world.
Maradona suffered a heart attack as he was recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot after decades battling cocaine and alcohol addictions.
Each defendant risks between eight and 25 years in prison if convicted of “homicide with possible intent” – allegedly for pursuing a course of action despite knowing it could lead to the former World Cup winner’s death.
More than 100 witnesses, including members of Maradona’s family and doctors who tended to him over the years, are expected to take the stand in the long-delayed trial, with hearings expected to run until July.
Prosecutors have accused the medical team of pushing for Maradona to receive home care, which proved “reckless” and “totally deficient.” They allege he was abandoned to his fate for a “prolonged, agonising period” before his death.
A panel of 20 medical experts convened by Argentina’s public prosecutor concluded in 2021 that Maradona “would have had a better chance of survival” with adequate treatment in an appropriate medical facility.
The experts questioned why Maradona had been released so soon from the hospital after his operation when he was unable to care for himself and had limited or no access to critical medical devices, like an oxygen tube and a defibrillator – the residence where he was staying did not have the latter.
All of the accused deny their responsibility in Maradona’s death, describing him as a difficult patient who resisted treatment.
“The death occurred unexpectedly, suddenly, during sleeping hours, without offering us any time,” said his neurologist.
And in response to the damning medical panel report, the defence commissioned its own forensic study to support its claim that Maradona’s death “was sudden and without agony.”
Contact the writer of this story, Andrew Warshaw, at moc.l1741751315labto1741751315ofedi1741751315sni@w1741751315ahsra1741751315w.wer1741751315dna1741751315