In San Isidro, on the northern edge of Buenos Aires, the second trial over Diego Maradona’s death has reached its closing hearing. Judges are now approaching the deliberations that will decide the criminal responsibility of the health professionals who cared for the Argentine football icon before his death on 25 November 2020, with a verdict not expected before December.
A case returns to court
The proceedings are being heard by Criminal Court No. 7 of San Isidro after the original trial was abandoned in 2025, only three months after it began. That first process was annulled following the conduct of judge Julieta Makintach, who authorised and took part in a documentary filmed secretly during the hearings.
The retrial opened on 14 April and has occupied 51 hearings. The court has heard 75 witnesses and reviewed around 100 messages exchanged by those accused. Judges have warned that the volume of evidence, much of it involving specialised medical matters, means their discussions may take significant time.
- Maradona died aged 60 while receiving home care after brain surgery.
- Prosecutors contend that his treatment was defined by profound disorganisation.
- They allege that a series of actions and failures by the care team contributed to his death.
- Seven health professionals are on trial in this case, while nurse Dahiana Gisela Madrid will be tried separately.
Perroni’s defence closes its case
The final hearing began with the defence of Mariano Perroni, the head of nursing staff. He had first faced an allegation of simple homicide with possible intent, but his charge was reduced to negligent homicide after limited evidence was found against him.
Prosecutors have requested a four-year prison term and an eight-year ban from practising for Perroni. His lawyer, Miguel Ángel Pierri, said he would seek an acquittal and argued that his client had already suffered the consequences of the case long before any ruling.
“Whatever decision is reached, Mariano Perroni has already been punished,” Pierri told the court. He said Perroni had been branded a murderer, had lost his mother during the six years of proceedings and had seen his marriage end.
The lawyer also said a professional disqualification would be unnecessary in practical terms, claiming Perroni has been unable to find nursing work for five years because of the public stigma attached to the case.
Defendants and final stages
Ricardo Almirón, another nurse whose accusation was likewise changed to negligent homicide, is due to be represented next. Prosecutors have sought the same sentence requested for Perroni.
Pedro Di Spagna, the clinical doctor involved in Maradona’s care, will also receive a short defence submission. Both prosecutors and the private complainants have asked for Di Spagna to be acquitted.
- Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque remains among the defendants.
- Psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov is also on trial.
- Psychologist Carlos Díaz faces the court alongside the others.
- Nancy Forlini, Swiss Medical’s home-care coordinator, has also been tried; their defence teams made submissions earlier this week.
The hearing will also allow replies and further responses if new arguments from the closing submissions require an answer. It is then expected to conclude with the defendants’ final statements, should they choose to address the court.
For the judges, the task now is to assess years of evidence surrounding the final days of one of football’s most enduring figures. Their ruling is expected from December onward.
