Court sets December 22 verdict in Maradona death trial

The court announced that it will deliver its verdict on December 22 in the trial of seven healthcare professionals accused of negligence over Diego Maradona’s 2020 death. The announcement came as the six-month trial concluded, leaving the court to decide whether the care provided during Maradona’s recovery was negligent and whether his death was foreseeable. Prosecutors requested a 12-year prison sentence for neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, Maradona’s doctor, and sentences ranging from four to 12 years for six of the seven defendants. The requests are not findings of guilt. The defendants’ criminal liability will be determined by the court’s verdict. In closing arguments, Luque’s lawyers asked the court to find him not criminally liable. Attorney Roberto Rallin said Luque had been made a scapegoat, while Francisco Oneto argued that Maradona suffered an acute, unpredictable cardiac event. The defence rejected prosecutors’ claim that the fatal outcome could have been anticipated. Prosecutors, by contrast, argued that Luque failed to respond to warning signs before Maradona died. Their case has focused on the medical team’s care while the former Argentina football star recuperated...