SAN ISIDRO.- The neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luquemain defendant in the trial for the death of Diego Maradona in Argentinadeclared this Thursday before the court and affirmed that the former soccer player would be the only one who would “tell the truth” and “defend” him.
The trial seeks to determine responsibility for Maradona’s death, which occurred on November 25, 2020, 22 days after an operation for a subdural hematoma and while the idol was in home confinement.
“Diego is the only one who would tell the truth and defend me,” said Luque, Maradona’s family doctor, in the twelfth hearing of the process that takes place in San Isidro30 kilometers north of Buenos Aires.
On the same day the intensive care doctor also declared Fernando Villarejowho treated the former soccer player after the surgery and assured that he disagreed with the decision to transfer him to his home.
“He was not a patient for home care. He required other availability,” said Villarejo, noting that he had suggested hospitalization in a specialized institution, particularly due to Maradona’s addiction problems to alcohol and psychotropic drugs.
The home confinement was agreed upon by Maradona’s family, environment and medical team and took place in the city of Tigernear San Isidro.
Throughout the trial, which began on April 14, several witnesses indicated that Luque and the psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov They insisted that it was the only option because Maradona was not going to agree to enter a rehabilitation center.
“We suggested that he go to an institution specialized in addiction treatment,” Villarejo said.
Luque, Cosachov and five other health professionals are accused of homicide with possible intent, a crime that implies that they were aware of the risk of death. If convicted, they could face sentences of up to 25 years in prison.
An eighth defendant will be tried separately in a jury trial.
Aston Villa parades with Europa League trophy
In a triumphal parade aboard an open bus, the members of the Aston Villa They took a mass bath this Thursday in Birminghamone day after conquering the Europa League in Istanbul.
The English club, which defeated 3-0 Freiburg German in the final, won a European trophy 44 years after the European Cup -current Champions League– achieved in 1982.
The Villains’ last title was a English League Cup in 1996.
Dressed mostly in the club’s maroon and sky blue colors and waving flags, the fans were able to see their idols up close in the parade, in which the trophy was displayed from the stadium Villa Park to the Centennial Squarein the center of Birmingham, where some 23,000 people gathered.
