Verdict in Maradona death trial to be delivered on December 22
Seven healthcare professionals are accused of negligence over the Argentine football legend's 2020 death; prosecutors seek up to 12 years for his primary doctor.
At a glance
- A court in Argentina will deliver its verdict on December 22 in the trial over Diego Maradona's 2020 death.
- Seven healthcare professionals face negligence charges; prosecutors seek four to 12 years for six of them.
- Maradona died aged 60 on November 25, 2020, of heart failure and pulmonary oedema at a rented house in Tigre.
The court trying seven healthcare professionals over the death of Diego Maradona announced on Thursday that it will deliver its verdict on December 22, after six months of hearings in Argentina.
The trial, which began in April, concluded on Thursday with brief statements from Maradona's daughter Dalma and several of the defendants. More than 70 witnesses testified during the proceedings.
"I hope my father receives the justice he deserves ... like anyone else," Dalma Maradona said, her voice breaking with emotion.
Leopoldo Luque, Maradona's primary doctor and the main defendant, told the court: "I am innocent."
Maradona died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60 from heart failure coupled with pulmonary oedema. He was found dead in his bed at a house in Tigre, north of Buenos Aires, which had been rented for his convalescence after minor neurosurgery. His death plunged Argentina into mourning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What the case turns on
The case has centred on whether the doctors' decision to let Maradona recover in a private home rather than in a hospital amounted to negligence. Prosecutors pointed to the near-total lack of medical equipment, including a hospital bed, defibrillator or a quickly available ambulance, as evidence of dereliction of duty.
Several medical experts testified that Maradona's caretakers failed to react to key warning signs in the lead-up to his death, including oedema, tachycardia and difficulty breathing.
Prosecutors have requested prison sentences of four to 12 years for six of the seven defendants, with the heaviest term, 12 years, sought for Luque.
Defence rejects 'foreseeable' claim
In closing arguments on Wednesday, Luque's defence lawyers rejected the prosecution's argument that Maradona's death was foreseeable and described their client as a "scapegoat" in the case.
Luque was by far the most combative defendant throughout the trial, speaking several times when he felt he was being implicated. His legal team played audio recordings, presented scientific articles and even showed a video of Maradona's autopsy, provoking the anger of the footballer's daughters.
"It's easy to attack me because I'm the one who had the most contact with Maradona," Luque said in court, asserting that "the only one who would defend me would be Diego."
"I cared deeply for him, I loved him, he was my idol and my friend," he said.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- When will the verdict in the Maradona death trial be announced?
- The court said on Thursday it will deliver its verdict on December 22, after six months of hearings in the trial, which began in April and heard from more than 70 witnesses.
- Who is the main defendant and what does he say?
- Leopoldo Luque, Maradona's primary doctor, is the main defendant and told the court "I am innocent." Prosecutors are seeking the heaviest sentence, 12 years, for him.
- What is the Maradona trial about?
- It centres on whether the decision to let Maradona convalesce in a private home instead of a hospital was negligent, with prosecutors citing missing medical equipment and missed warning signs.
