Two lawyers are expelled from the trial over Maradona's death and controversy grows

The Oral Criminal Court No. 3  of San Isidro held the second hearing of the trial for the death of Diego Armando Maradona. Seven of the eight accused healthcare professionals faced the session where preliminary issues were solved.  The testimony of the first witnesses was scheduled for Tuesday, March 18.

Attorneys Rodolfo Baqué and Martín De Vargas were removed from the defense of nurse Ricardo Almirón due to a conflict of interest. Baqué also represents Gisela Dahiana Madrid, an accused who will face a jury trial in the second half of the year.

During the session, judges Verónica Di Tommaso, Maximiliano Savarino, and Julieta Makintach rejected nullity requests submitted by prosecutors and private accusers regarding Maradona's cardiology report. This report was introduced by the defense of neurosurgeon  Leopoldo Luque and official expert Ferrari, with the collaboration of specialist parties.

A recess marked the session, which was not broadcast on YouTube to protect the witnesses. After the break,  Luque and doctor Nancy Edith Forlini left, as the defendants are not required to remain in the hearing unless they wish to testify. According to his lawyer, Julio Rivas, Luque will only attend the final arguments and the verdict, unless expressly summoned.

The trial was attended by Dalma, Gianinna  and Jana Maradona, Verónica Ojeda and their lawyers Fernando Burlando  and Mario Baudry.  Also present were psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Díaz, nurse Ricardo Almirón, chief Mariano Perroni, and clinical doctor Pedro Pablo Di Spagna.

The judges incorporated into the record a cardiology study, a psychiatric evaluation, and a psychological analysis through reading in the courtroom.

The bathroom where Maradona died: a key piece of evidence

Next Tuesday, at 9:30 AM, the testimony of three key witnesses is expected: officer Lucas Farías and commissioners Lucas Rodrigo Borge and Leonardo Mendoza.  They were the first to find the former footballer's body at his residence in Tigre, and their testimony is considered crucial due to their presumed impartiality regarding the events.

Attorney Mauro Baudry, representative of Verónica Ojeda and her son Dieguito Fernando, reiterated his suspicions about alleged medical negligence in Maradona's last days. In an interview, he claimed that the former player died while relieving himself on a walker with a plastic bedpan.

Baudry emphasized: "When they see the marks on his back from all the days he was lying face up, people will react. They didn't treat him. Photos and videos will be seen that leave no room for doubt."

He also refuted the arguments about Maradona's supposed rebelliousness. "Being ungovernable doesn't justify abandonment. If you can't take care of him, let someone else do it, but don't leave him in agony for 12 hours," he stated.

Finally, he concluded:  "If you see a swollen relative in bed, you call a doctor. If you're the doctor in charge, you call an ambulance,"  Baudry concluded.