Diego Maradona trial in doubt as judge steps down after ‘acting like an actress'

New York Times

28-05-2025

A judge overseeing the trial of Diego Maradona's medical staff into alleged negligence over the former soccer star's death has stepped down after criticism over her appearance in a forthcoming documentary about the case.
Judge Julieta Makintach — who said she had 'no choice' but to leave the case — was one of the three judges in the trial of seven healthcare professionals from Maradona's medical team, who were charged with negligent homicide relating to the former World Cup-winner's death.
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Judge Makintach, 47, was accused by prosecutor Patricio Ferrari of behaving 'like an actress and not a judge', leading to the case being adjourned.
Makintach appeared as one of the lead figures in the trailer of documentary series Divine Justice, which details the events between Maradona's death and the start of the trial in March 2025.
Prosecutor Ferrari showed the trailer to the San Isidro court and requested they review her role due to filming during an ongoing trial.
Mario Baudry, the lawyer representing Maradona's former partner Veronica Ojeda, said the case had been 'compromised' by Makintach's appearance and called for the trial 'to start over from scratch'.
The trial began in Argentina two months ago with more than 100 witnesses testifying and was expected to last until July, but its timeframe has now been thrown into doubt. Multiple reports indicate a decision on whether or not the trial should be restarted could come as soon as Thursday.
The defendants in the case are neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a medical co-ordinator, a nursing co-ordinator, a doctor and the night nurse.
They have been charged with allegedly failing to provide adequate care for Maradona. Prosecutors allege the carers were 'reckless, deficient and unprecedented' in their role overseeing Maradona's wellbeing.
The defendants argue that Maradona refused additional treatment and ignored their advice for him to remain at home for a longer period following his brain operation.
Each defendant faces between eight and 25 years in prison if convicted on the charge of 'homicide with possible intent'.
Maradona died in November 2020, aged 60, of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, at a house outside Buenos Aires in Argentina.
He was recovering from surgery for a hematoma that formed between his skull and brain.
Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and two Italian league titles with Napoli, is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time.