Maradona death trial to continue with two witnesses for psychologist on trial

The trial over Diego Armando Maradona’s death is entering its final phase of witness testimony, with two addiction specialists due to appear for psychologist Carlos Díaz.

Psychologist Damián Barreiro and sociologist Ignacio O’Donnell will be the first witnesses called by Díaz. He joined the team treating Maradona about a month before the former footballer died on November 25, 2020. Díaz was responsible for psychological support and assistance with Maradona’s treatment for alcohol addiction, working alongside psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, who is also accused in the case.

Díaz ordered that alcohol be barred from the house where Maradona was receiving home treatment. The autopsy found that Maradona died without alcohol or another substance in his blood. Prosecutors accuse Díaz of interfering with medical treatment and taking decisions beyond his professional competence. In his defense, he has said the other professionals ignored his suggestions and that he fulfilled his role on the team.

Evidence has shown that Díaz asked Maradona’s daughters not to visit him in the days before his death, saying he wanted to prevent them from overwhelming him. The article says no evidence has so far established that his actions contributed to the death.

Defense testimony was due to begin last Thursday with surgeon and forensic doctor Antonio José Maya, called by the lawyers for neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque. Luque is accused in the case and has been identified by numerous witnesses as the doctor responsible for Maradona’s health. His lawyers told the court that Maya had asked to postpone his testimony so he could reread the lengthy report he prepared after serving as an expert on the interdisciplinary medical panel created by the judiciary in 2021 to assess the circumstances of Maradona’s death.

Under an agreement reached last Thursday, defense testimony will continue until the end of September. The parties will then begin preparing their closing arguments. The other defendants are Cosachov, Swiss Medical home-care coordinator Nancy Forlini, doctor Pedro Di Spagna, nursing coordinator Mariano Perroni and nurse Ricardo Almirón.