Maradona death trial: plaintiffs call for tougher sentences

The plaintiffs in the trial over Argentine football star Diego Maradona's death have called for harsher sentences for the accused medical professionals. Fernando Burlando, representing Maradona's eldest daughters Dalma and Gianinna, asked for a 15-year prison term for Leopoldo Luque, the former lead medical advisor. Burlando also requested 12 years for Nancy Forlini, the medical care company coordinator, and 10 years for psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov.

Burlando further sought five years for psychologist Carlos Díaz, four years and six months for nursing coordinator Mariano Perroni, and a four-year sentence for nurse Ricardo Almirón, all under charges of involuntary manslaughter. Burlando emphasized that the medical team knew Maradona's condition would likely be fatal and had no excuse for abandoning him.

Maradona passed away from acute pulmonary edema in 2020. The trial focuses on the medical care Maradona received after the medical board found the responsible staff had failed to provide adequate treatment. Burlando's request for a 15-year sentence follows the initial closing arguments from the prosecution and other plaintiffs. Prosecutors Patricio Ferrari and Cosme Iribarren had sought a 12-year sentence for Luque, eight years for Cosachov with a 10-year ban from practicing medicine, and five years for Díaz on involuntary manslaughter charges.

Defense lawyer Mario Baudry, representing Maradona's youngest son Diego Fernando, requested harsher penalties, including 16 years in prison for Luque and 14 years for Cosachov, along with a 10-year ban from medicine for both. Baudry also asked for 12 years for Díaz and four years for Perroni and Almirón, both for involuntary manslaughter. Further closing arguments by the defense teams are scheduled for the following week.