False start delays new Maradona death trial, timeframe uncertain

The start of the new trial probing the death of late footballer Diego Maradona still has no date and there are some doubts whether it will take place this year.

Doubts remain after a preparatory hearing between prosecutors, defence lawyers and the new judges appointed after the first trial was declared null and void.

Seven health professionals have been indicted for homicide with possible malice aforethought in the case of Maradona’s death. They stood trial between March and May but proceedings were quashed after the scandalous removal of one of the judges and must now be restarted.

Some of the participants consulted by reporters doubt a restart is close: "Although we are all agreed over a restart as soon as possible, I personally see it being able to start before next year as very difficult," said Martín Montalto, the lawyer of nursing co-ordinator Mariano Perroni, who is indicted in the case.

Plaintiff lawyer Mario Baudry, representing the idol’s ex-partner Verónica Ojeda, is more optimistic. "I believe that if it were up to the court, the trial will be up and running very quickly," he told journalists at the end of the hearing. 

The new court was finally assembled earlier this month, summoning those involved to a July 18 hearing to determine the scope of the nullity of the previous trial and the request of one of the accused to face trial by jury.

After protests from the defence, the court gave the participants time until August 5 to request the removal of any of the new judges, which will delay the continuity of the preparations.

The court “intends to accelerate while all we are asking is simply that the times stipulated by the law be respected," said Francisco Oneto, one of the defence lawyers, at the end of the hearing.

"The court’s intention is to advance and sometimes I want to advance too fast but I have no problem in pegging back and granting the 10 [working] days," explained presiding court judge Alberto Gaig, at the close of the hearing

Maradona died of a pulmonary oedema on November 25, 2020, while recovering from neurosurgery in house care.

Seven members of the football star’s medical team risk facing between eight and 25 years in prison for homicide with possible malice aforethought, a legal phrase implying that they were aware that their actions could have lead to the patient’s death.

An eighth nurse is to be tried by jury but her situation remains in suspense until the scope of the nullity of the main trial is decided.

– TIMES/AFP