The prosecutors’ office in San Isidro, Argentina, has charged seven medical professionals with “simple homicide with eventual intent” in the November death of Diego Maradona, according to ESPN.
After 60-year-old Maradona died from heart failure just two weeks after undergoing brain surgery, audio recordings of private conversations between doctors and people from Maradona’s retinue indicating the former soccer star may not have been properly cared for prior to his death were leaked to the press.
Following an investigation by a medical board appointed by the prosecutors’ office to see if Maradona’s medical team committed culpable homicide, it was determined the individuals tasked with caring for Maradona behaved in an “inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner” and left him “to his own devices,” per The Athletic.
As a result, two nurses, a nurse coordinator, a doctor, a psychologist, Leopoldo Luque, the neurosurgeon who performed the brain operation on Maradona, and psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov have been charged. Luque and Cosachov have denied any wrongdoing.
A toxicology report found there was no alcohol or illegal substances detected in Maradona’s system. An autopsy revealed he died of a build-up of fluid in his lungs due to congestive heart failure.
Testimony in the case is set to begin on May 31. If convicted, the accused could face between eight to 25 years in prison.
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