Mistrial declared in Maradona case after judge's scandal – DW – 05/30/2025
Alex Footman
05/30/2025
May 30, 2025
After Argentine soccer icon Diego Maradona died of heart failure, state prosecutors accused his medical team of gross negligence. Now the trial has taken a dramatic turn, after it came out that a judge had been shooting a documentary about the proceedings.
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DW
4 days ago
- DW
Mistrial declared in Maradona case after judge's scandal – DW – 05/30/2025
Alex Footman 05/30/2025 May 30, 2025 After Argentine soccer icon Diego Maradona died of heart failure, state prosecutors accused his medical team of gross negligence. Now the trial has taken a dramatic turn, after it came out that a judge had been shooting a documentary about the proceedings.
DW
4 days ago
- DW
Diego Maradona: Mistrial ruled in case against medical team – DW – 05/29/2025
An Argentine court has declared a mistrial in the case against soccer superstar Diego Maradona'a medical team. Prosecutors argued that the trial had been tainted by one judge's ethical missteps. An Argentine court on Thursday declared a mistrial in the homicide case against the medical team of the late football legend Diego Maradona. Thursday's mistrial ruling came after one of the court's judges recused herself over ethical conflicts posed by the fact that she had appeared in a television documentary about the case. Judge Makintach recused herself after appearing in a television documentary on the case Image: Gustavo Garello/AP/dpa/picture alliance Prosecutors argued that the situation created a conflict that tainted the trial. Death of a national hero Maradona's November 2020 heart attack and death at age 60 while recovering from brain surgery shocked Argentina. The trial against his seven-member medical team — for what prosecutors said was their grossly negligent care of the national hero — got underway on March 11. On Thursday, Judge Maximiliano Savarino said the conduct of his colleague Julieta Makintach had "caused prejudice" to the proceedings. The two remaining judges on the panel said that a new trial would be held with a different panel of judges but did not specify when the new trial would take place. Judge Julieta Makintach said she had "no choice" but to recuse herself from the case after prosecutors showed a teaser-trailer for the documentary, "Divine Justice." Not only did Makintach appear in the trailer — which traces the aftermath of Maradona's death and the start of the trail — she clearly featured as one of the film's main protagonists. Some 40 witnesses had testified in the case before it was annulled. Members of Maradona's medical team face between eight and 25 years in prison should they be found guilty of homicide with possible intent.
Int'l Business Times
4 days ago
- Int'l Business Times
After 2 Months, 40 Witnesses, Maradona Trial Declared Null
An Argentine court on Thursday nullified the trial of late football legend Diego Maradona's medical team after a judge stepped down over her role in an unauthorized documentary about the case. In what is widely considered an embarrassment for Argentina's judicial system, judge Maximiliano Savarino said the conduct of his colleague Julieta Makintach had "caused prejudice" to the proceedings, which started in March and had already heard more than 40 witnesses. A new trial will be held from scratch, with a different panel of judges. Makintach, one of three judges, had recused herself on Tuesday after it emerged she had been interviewed for a miniseries about the case, potentially breaking a string of ethics rules. After police raids and a one-week suspension of proceedings, 47-year-old Makintach was accused of violating her impartiality, influence peddling and even bribery over her involvement in the miniseries "Divine Justice." A trailer for the TV show was played in court Tuesday, showing Makintach stalking the halls of justice in high heels as grim details of the footballing hero's demise were relayed. The footage appeared to contain unauthorized recordings allegedly made inside the courtroom -- a violation of court rules. Makintach initially denied authorizing any filming during the trial, but her credibility was questioned after the trailer showed her being interviewed by a film crew and walking through the courtroom. The prosecution, the complainants and most of the defense lawyers had asked for a new panel of judges to be appointed and the trial, which they consider tainted, restarted. No date has been set for the new trial, for which judges will be chosen by an internal court lottery. Thursday's ruling can still be appealed, lawyers told AFP, casting doubt on whether the already long-delayed proceedings will resume this year. Maradona -- considered one of the world's greatest ever players -- died in November 2020 aged 60 while recovering from brain surgery. He was found to have died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema -- a condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs -- two weeks after going under the knife. His seven-person medical team is on trial over the conditions of his home convalescence, described by prosecutors as grossly negligent. The team faces prison terms of between eight and 25 years if convicted of "homicide with possible intent" -- pursuing a course of action despite knowing it could lead to death. Prosecutors allege the former footballer was abandoned to his fate for a "prolonged, agonizing period" before his death. Daughter Gianinna Maradona told the court her father was kept in "a dark, ugly and lonely" place and that his carers were more interested in money than his welfare. Judge Julieta Makintach recused herself from the trial of Maradona's caregivers AFP
