Maradona homicide trial declared null after 2 months, 40 witnesses
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 unauthorised 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.
Judge Julieta Makintach arrives at court for a hearing in San Isidro, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, on Tuesday. Photo: AP
A trailer for the television 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.
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Maradona homicide trial declared null after 2 months, 40 witnesses
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 unauthorised 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. Judge Julieta Makintach arrives at court for a hearing in San Isidro, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, on Tuesday. Photo: AP A trailer for the television 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.
