The last hearing of the trial for the death of Maradona begins
The trial for the death of Diego Armando Maradona Its last hearing began this Thursday, which will give way to the deliberation of the judges, whose verdict is expected in December.
The last hearing of the trial began with the defense argument of the head of nurses, Mariano Perronione of the seven health professionals sitting in the dock.
Initially accused of simple homicide with possible intent, the scant evidence against him led to his accusation being updated to manslaughter, a crime for which the Prosecutor’s Office requested four years in prison and eight years of professional disqualification. “I want you to know that whatever they resolve, Mariano Perroni has already been convicted,” said his lawyer. Miguel Ángel Pierriwho announced that he will request his acquittal.
The lawyer explained that Perroni was called a murderer, his mother died during the six years of the case and his wife left him.
“In the event that you decide to disqualify Mariano Perroni because you find him guilty, do not waste your time, Mariano Perroni is already disqualified. It has been five years since society stigmatized him and does not give him a job as a nurse,” indicated his defense.
After Perroni’s plea, it will be the turn of the nurse’s defense Ricardo Almironwhose accusation was also updated to manslaughter and the same penalty was requested.
The defense of the clinical doctor Pedro Di Spagnafor whom the Prosecutor’s Office and all the complaints requested acquittal, will also make a brief statement.
Also on trial in this trial are the neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, the psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, the psychologist Carlos Díaz and the home care coordinator of Swiss Medical, Nancy Forlini, whose defenses pleaded this week.
The Prosecutor’s Office accused them of offering Maradona treatment marked by “absolute disorganization”, in which they carried out different actions and omissions that led to the death of the legendary former soccer player, on November 25, 2020.
The nurse Dahiana Gisela Madrid is in turn accused in the case, but will have a parallel trial.
This Thursday there will be space for replies, where the parties will be able to respond to novel arguments that have been introduced in the allegations, as well as rebuttals, where they can be responded to once again, if pertinent.
The trial will end with the last words of the accused, if they decide to make use of that right.
This is the second trial held for Maradona’s death, after the annulment of the first in 2025, three months after its start, due to the bad actions of one of the court’s judges, Julieta Makintach, who clandestinely authorized the making of a documentary about the process and participated in it.
With a new court, the Oral Criminal Court (TOC) No. 7 of San Isidro, the second trial began on April 14 and held 51 hearings, in which 75 testimonies were heard and a hundred messages exchanged between the accused were exposed.
The court judges anticipated that this is a very complex case, full of evidentiary material in which medical technicalities abound, which will take considerable time for deliberation. The verdict is expected in December.
