Maradona's legal case teeters on the edge following the judge's recusal. - Maradona's trial continues following the withdrawal of the referee involved
A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the ongoing trial concerning the death of iconic footballer Diego Maradona, after the presiding judge, Julieta Makintach, announced her withdrawal from the case. Judge Maximiliano Savarino of the San Isidro court in Buenos Aires raised doubts about Makintach's impartiality following the emergence of a video showing her involvement in a documentary series about the trial, with herself as the central figure.
The trailer for the documentary titled "Divine Justice" was played in court on Tuesday, depicting Makintach hastily navigating the corridors of the courthouse in high heels while a narrator recounted graphic details of Maradona's demise. The series allegedly followed Makintach as she investigated "Maradona's death and painful milestones of his life."
Criticizing Makintach's conduct, prosecutor Patricio Ferrari accused her of functioning more as an actress than a judge. Maradona's daughter, Giannina, and his ex-partner, Veronica Ojeda, broke down in tears while viewing the video footage in court, while Judge Makintach sat somberly at the bench. Eventually, she acknowledged having "no choice" but to recuse herself from the case.
Makintach's sudden departure may potentially derail the trial, which has garnered global attention from football enthusiasts. On Thursday, the court will decide whether a new judge or judges can replace Makintach or if the trial must be restarted from the beginning. The majority of those involved expressed support for a retrial on Tuesday.
Legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60 due to heart failure and pulmonary edema following treatment in a rented apartment north of Buenos Aires following a brain operation. The prosecution accuses his doctors and caregivers of negligence, which they claim effectively caused his death. Giannina Maradona asserts that the defendants placed her father in a "dark, ugly, and lonely" setting, prioritizing his wealth over his wellbeing.
If found guilty, the seven defendants face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years. All defendants maintain their innocence, denying any responsibility for Maradona's death. Maradona's fervent adoration in Argentina prompted widespread mourning following his passing during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is set to be entombed in a mausoleum on a 1,000-square-meter plot in Puerto Madero, a tourist district of Buenos Aires, this year. Estimates suggest up to one million people will visit the memorial site annually.
[Enrichment Data]: The controversy surrounding an unauthorized filming incident within the courthouse has stirred significant concerns about the trial's impartiality. An investigation is underway to determine whether Makintach facilitated the unauthorized cameras' access to the courtroom, potentially threatening the trial's integrity and the legal process in Argentina. The judicial system takes these allegations seriously, underscoring the importance of maintaining impartiality in high-profile cases.
- The trailer of the documentary series, titled "Divine Justice," featuring Judge Julieta Makintach as the central figure, was played in court, causing a stir and raising questions about her impartiality in the Maradona trial.
- The ongoing trial regarding the death of Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires has been in the spotlight, with concerns arising over Judge Makintach's involvement in a documentary series that followed Maradona's death and personal life milestones.
- After the withdrawal of Judge Makintach from the Maradona trial, the controversy surrounding an unauthorized filming incident within the courthouse has come under investigation, threatening the trial's integrity and potentially derailing the legal process in Argentina.
