New Forensic Report Challenges Findings in Diego Maradona's Death, Potentially Shifting Murder Trial

A new forensic report has challenged the 2021 findings in the death investigation of Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona. The report, conducted at the request of one of the main defendants, Maradona's neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, suggests that Maradona's rapid, erratic heartbeat was either of natural origin or stemmed from an 'external' factor, possibly a drug like cocaine that Maradona was known to have misused in the past.

This contradicts the previous 2021 report that accused Maradona's medical team of acting in an "inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner," leaving him in pain and without help for more than 12 hours before his death. The new report disputes the severity of that episode, stating the arrhythmia could not have triggered suffering for more than "a few minutes or at most a few hours."

The defense lawyer representing Maradona's psychiatrist has called this a "drastic change in the case," as the account goes from being a cardiac event that lasts many days to one that lasts minutes. However, the prosecutor's office has criticized the expert's report as hastily put together and accused the expert of disregarding four years of evidence in favor of "a small piece of evidence offered by the defense."

Why this matters: The findings in this new forensic report indicate a significant shift in the criminal negligence case brought against eight medical workers involved in Maradona's care, who are set to stand trial for homicide starting on June 4. The report's conclusions could potentially change the course of the high-profile trial.

Maradona, known for leading Argentina to the 1986 World Cup victory, passed away from a heart attack in November 2020 at the age of 60, just weeks after undergoing brain surgery. The medical workers have been charged with homicide, which carries potential prison sentences of 8 to 25 years.

The trial of the eight medical workers on homicide charges is set to start on June 4, 2024. The prosecutor's office maintains that there has been no change in the case despite the new medical examiner's report challenging the previous findings. As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen how this new evidence will impact the upcoming trial and the fate of the medical professionals involved in Maradona's care.

Key Takeaways

• New forensic report challenges 2021 findings on Maradona's death investigation.
• Report suggests Maradona's rapid heartbeat was natural or due to drug use.
• This contradicts previous report accusing medical team of negligence and recklessness.
• The new report could significantly impact the upcoming homicide trial of 8 medical workers.
• Prosecutor's office criticizes the new report as hastily made and disregarding evidence.