Judge's withdrawal leaves Maradona trial in uncertainty - Withdrawal of referee leads to Maradona's trial continuation
In a troubling turn of events, the trial of health professionals accused of negligence in the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona is teetering on the edge following the withdrawal of Judge Julieta Makintach. The San Isidro court in Buenos Aires, where the trial is being held, expressed doubts about Makintach's impartiality after seized footage revealed her active involvement in a documentary series about the trial.
In a trailer for the miniseries "Divine Justice," Makintach was shown rushing through the courthouse corridors, while a narrator recounted gruesome details of Maradona's death. The script for the documentary series proposed following Makintach as she investigated Maradona's death and significant milestones in his life.
Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari accused Makintach of acting more like an actress than a judge, leading to tears from Maradona's daughter, Giannina, and his ex-partner, Veronica Ojeda, upon viewing the footage. Makintach, in turn, stated that she had no choice but to step down from the case.
The controversial documentary series has cast a shadow over the trial, which has garnered attention from football fans worldwide. The court must decide by Thursday whether Makintach can be replaced or if a new three-judge panel must take over the trial. Majority support for a retrial was expressed by parties involved on Tuesday.
Maradona died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 60 due to heart failure and pulmonary edema after receiving care in a rented apartment in an upscale neighborhood following a brain operation. The prosecution accuses his doctors and caregivers of negligent care that contributed to his death. Maradona's daughter, Giannina, accused the defendants of confining her father to a "dark, ugly, and lonely" environment, prioritizing his money over his well-being.
Conviction for the seven defendants could land them between eight and 25 years in prison. All defendants have denied any responsibility for Maradona's death.
Adored passionately in Argentina, Maradona's death during the COVID-19 crisis sparked profound mourning in the South American country and among football fans worldwide. A mausoleum on a 1,000-square-meter plot in Puerto Madero—a tourist district of Buenos Aires—is set to be dedicated to him this year. The memorial site is expected to attract up to one million visitors annually.
- The controversial documentary series, "Divine Justice," featuring Judge Julieta Makintach, has cast a shadow over the trial of Diego Maradona's health professionals, as the seized footage revealed her active involvement in the series, potentially compromising her impartiality.
- In the documentary series, Makintach was portrayed as investigating significant milestones in Maradona's life, raising questions about her role as a judge during the trial in the San Isidro court in Buenos Aires.
- The San Isidro court must decide by Thursday whether a new three-judge panel must take over the Maradona trial, given the controversy surrounding Makintach's participation in the documentary series. The decision has gained majority support from parties involved, after Makintach withdrew from the case following the controversy.
