Maradona death trial: plaintiffs call for tougher sentences

The plaintiffs in the trial over the death of Argentine football star Diego Maradona requested harsher sentences for the accused in the last round of hearings.

Lawyer Fernando Burlando, representing Diego Maradona’s eldest daughters Dalma and Gianinna, requested a 15-year prison sentence on Wednesday for the star’s former lead medical advisor, Leopoldo Luque. Burlando also asked for 12 years in prison for medical care company coordinator Nancy Forlini and 10 years for psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov.

In addition, Burlando requested a five-year prison sentence for psychologist Carlos Díaz, as well as four years and six months for nursing coordinator Mariano Perroni and nurse Ricardo Almirón, under charges of involuntary manslaughter.

In his closing argument, the lawyer echoed the prosecution and the family’s claim that the medical professionals mishandled Maradona’s case.

“There was no unpredictable complication here, nor a sudden mistake,” he said. “They knew this was going to happen. The medical team fully and thoroughly anticipated the possibility of a fatal outcome. And being completely indifferent, they abandoned Diego to fate.”

Maradona died from acute pulmonary edema in 2020. The trial centers on the circumstances of his death and the medical care he received from his doctors and nurses after the medical board determined those responsible for his care had failed to provide proper medical treatment.

Baudry requests homicide with eventual intent for Diaz  Burlando’s petition came after the initial round of closing arguments by the prosecution and other plaintiffs. 

Last week, prosecutors Patricio Ferrari and Cosme Iribarren requested a 12-year prison sentence for Luque, eight for Cosachov with a 10-year ban from practicing medicine for both, and five years for Díaz on charges of involuntary manslaughter.

On Tuesday, lawyer Mario Baudry — representing Diego Fernando, Maradona’s youngest son — called for harsher penalties and raised questions about the criminal liability of some of the defendants. 

Baudry requested 16 years in prison with a 10-year ban from practicing medicine for Luque under the accusation of simple homicide with eventual intent. 

He also requested a 14-year sentence under two counts — homicide with eventual intent and falsification of documents — with a 10-year ban for Cosachov, and 12 years in prison with a 24-year ban for Díaz, also under homicide with eventual intent.

Baudry further requested a 16-year prison sentence and a 10-year ban for Forlini under homicide with eventual intent, as well as a four-year prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter for Perroni and Almirón, accompanied by an eight-year ban for each.

Proceedings will continue next week, with the defense teams for all accused delivering their closing arguments.