Maradona death trial on hold amid suspected father-son kidney test mix-up
Trial proceedings suspended for a week over possible medical evidence mix-up; Defence lawyers claim kidney kidney tests produced at the trial belonged to Maradona's father, who died in 2015. Leer más
The trial into the death of football legend Diego Maradona has been put on hold due to allegations that kidney tests presented in court belonged to Maradona's father, not the player himself. Seven healthcare workers are facing charges of criminal negligence over the care Maradona received prior to his passing at the age of 60 in November 2020, while he was recovering from surgery.
The court adjourned the case until August 27 to allow for a review of the medical evidence following the defense's claim that the kidney tests presented at the trial were actually those of Maradona's deceased father, also named Diego, who passed away in 2015. The initial trial was abruptly dismissed the previous year after approximately two and a half months of hearings, following the discovery that one of the judges had participated in a clandestine documentary about the case.
Maradona's cause of death was determined to be heart failure and acute pulmonary oedema, a condition characterized by fluid accumulation in the lungs, which occurred two weeks after he underwent surgery for a brain clot. The medical team involved in his care is accused of providing substandard treatment in the days leading up to his demise, a claim they vehemently deny.
On Tuesday, a nephrologist testified before the court that Maradona's kidney condition should have raised red flags for his doctors, stating that the former football star, known for his cocaine abuse, should have undergone daily medical checkups, nursing care, blood tests, and monitoring of his vital signs. The prosecution reassured that the alleged mix-up in the kidney test results would not undermine their case, stating that the defense will not succeed in terminating the trial.
Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari affirmed on Thursday that the defense will not succeed in bringing down the trial. The lawyer for one of the accused, nurse Nancy Forlini, also expressed confidence that the case would conclude, allowing her client to know her judicial fate. If it is confirmed that the kidney test results belonged to Maradona's father, it could potentially undermine the credibility of the medical commission established to assess the circumstances surrounding Maradona's death.
The nephrologist who testified on Tuesday is part of the commission, which has been highly critical of the care provided to the star footballer.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
