Maradona’s doctor, accused in star’s demise, requests trial by jury

Neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, Diego Maradona’s private doctor who has been charged by the courts in relation to the legendary footballer’s demise, has requested the Judiciary to approve trial by jury after the annulment of the trial that had begun in March.

The request, seen by the AFP information company on Saturday, was filed with the courts on Friday.

Luque and 6 different well being professionals are charged with manslaughter in relation to Maradona’s demise. They had been placed on trial by a three-judge panel between March and Could, however proceedings had been annulled after the removing of one of many judges amid scandal.

Now the trial should begin over and Luque’s defence staff has requested a change in trial standing.

“We’re requesting that this trial be held by jury,” says the submitting addressed to the brand new courtroom chosen in June and signed by Luque’s three attorneys.

Considered one of them, Julio Rivas, defined the choice to the native press. “Since there is no such thing as a neutral courtroom on the earth, we choose that the folks choose it,” he instructed the La Nación newspaper.

The trial, which started in March and through which greater than 40 witnesses testified, was annulled on the finish of Could after it was revealed that one of many judges, Julieta Makintach, was starring in an unauthorised documentary in regards to the proceedings.

In June, a brand new courtroom was chosen to restart the trial, however final week one of many judges recused himself for well being causes, which means that one other Justice of the Peace have to be appointed with the intention to transfer the method ahead.

Luque’s attorneys mentioned that if the request for a jury trial is denied, they’ll attraction to the Supreme Courtroom, which might additional delay the restart.

Maradona died of pulmonary oedema on 25 November 2020 whereas beneath dwelling care recovering from neurological surgical procedure.

Seven members of Maradona’s medical staff face eight to 25 years in jail for manslaughter, a cost that suggests they had been conscious that their actions might trigger the affected person’s demise.

An eighth nurse might be tried individually by a jury.

– TIMES/AFP