Argentina - Legend Maradona's eldest daughter Dalma burst into tears in court when she saw the last image of her father shortly after his death in November 2020.
During a hearing in Buenos Aires on March 11, prosecutor Patricio Ferrari described Maradona's care at home as "reckless and inadequate". He said the defendants had "improvised" and were "completely indifferent" to the consequences of poor care that led to Maradona's death. The last image of Maradona after his death was presented to the court. In the photo, the Argentine legend was lying on his back with a bulging stomach, his black T-shirt lifted up.
Veronica Ojeda, the mother of Maradona's 12-year-old son, and his two older daughters Dalma and Gianinna from his first wife, attended the hearing. Dalma burst into tears when she saw the last image of her father. Prosecutor Ferrari said the public and Maradona's family deserved to know the truth and that justice would be served.
Based on messages from seized phones and testimony from medical experts, prosecutor Ferrari argued that Maradona was not mentally fit between November 11, 2020, and November 25, 2020. The 1986 World Cup winner was unable to make decisions about his health when he was taken to the house in Tigre for clinical rehabilitation and home medical care. Ferrari called it the “House of Horrors” where Maradona died without anyone taking responsibility.
More than 100 witnesses will give evidence in the trial, which focuses on Maradona's care at a home in Tigre, where he died of heart failure in November 2020 after surgery for a blood clot. Although Maradona struggled with obesity, alcoholism and drug abuse, 20 medical experts said in 2021 that his death could have been avoided with better treatment.
Dr Leopoldo Luque and physiotherapist Aguestina Cosachov, who cared for Maradona in his final days, along with nurses Ricardo Almiron, Nancy Forlini, Mariano Perroni, psychologist Carlos Diaz and doctor Pedro Di Spagno are among the defendants in the case. Seven defendants are charged with manslaughter, facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Another nurse, Gisella Dahiana Madrid, will be tried separately later this year.
Before the hearing, Veronica Ojeda had an argument with Dr. Agustina Cosachov. The police had to intervene to stop it.
