Latest news with #JulietaMakintach
RTHK
3 days ago
- RTHK
'Hate and outrage' over Maradona death mistrial ruling
'Hate and outrage' over Maradona death mistrial ruling Julieta Makintach, one of three judges presiding over the Maradona case, is said to have potentially broken a string of ethics rules. Photo: AFP After weeks of hearings and testimony from over 40 witnesses, an Argentine court has nullified the trial of late football legend Diego Maradona's medical team due to a scandal over a TV miniseries. A new trial will have to start from scratch, with three new judges, in a case already long delayed into Maradona's death in 2020, allegedly due to medical negligence. Judge Julieta Makintach was forced to step down from the case, which began on March 11, this week after it emerged she had been involved in a documentary miniseries about the case, potentially breaking a string of ethics rules. Her colleague, Maximiliano Savarino, annulled the trial on Thursday, saying Makintach's behavior had "caused prejudice" to proceedings that have already heard hours of painful, sometimes tearful, testimony from witnesses, including Maradona's children. "I am not calm. I am angry. I hate them!" the footballer's daughter Jana Maradona said outside the court on Thursday. Ex-partner Veronica Ojeda described the events as "outrageous". But she added: "if I have to do it [testify] a thousand times more, I will." Maradona – considered one of the world's greatest ever players – died in November 2020 at the age of 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-strong medical team is on trial over the conditions of his home convalescence, described by prosecutors as grossly negligent. No date has been set for the new trial, but the prosecution has said it hopes for a restart this year. (AFP)
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Argentine court declares mistrial in death of soccer legend Diego Maradona
An Argentine court on Thursday declared a mistrial in the case of seven health professionals accused of negligence in the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona, the latest soap-operatic turn in the trial that has transfixed the soccer world. The judges ruled there would be a new trial, without specifying when. The pivot comes after one of the three judges overseeing the trial stepped down over criticism surrounding her participation in a forthcoming documentary series about the case, "Divine Justice," which spanned from the aftermath of Maradona's death, as scandals and suspicions of foul play began to emerge, to the start of the trial. Diego Maradona coach of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata looks on during a match between Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Velez as part of Superliga 2019/20 at Juan Carmelo Zerillo Stadium on January 24, 2020 in La Plata, calling for the judge, Julieta Makintach, to be recused, the prosecutor on Tuesday presented the trailer for her documentary — a one-and-a-half-minute teaser that intercuts archival footage of Maradona scoring iconic goals with shots of Makintach strutting through the corridors of the Buenos Aires courthouse in high heels and a short skirt as a string soundtrack heightens suspense. The prosecutor asked judges to investigate allegations that Makintach had violated judicial ethics in allowing a camera crew inside the courthouse to film her overseeing closed-door hearings for the reality TV-style series. As the claims snowballed into a national scandal, Makintach on Tuesday said that she had "no choice" but to resign from the case. The judges decided on Thursday to retry the entire case, effectively turning the clock back on all proceedings since March 11, when the trial began amid intense media scrutiny and called dozens of distraught witnesses to testify over 21 hearings. "Judge Makintach did not act impartially. Her conduct caused harm to both the plaintiffs and the defense," Judge Maximiliano Savarino said in declaring the mistrial. "The only person responsible is the recused judge." He added: "This is an unpleasant decision." At the courthouse, two of the soccer star's daughters, Gianinna and Dalma Maradona, began to weep. The decision threw into doubt the timeline of the trial, which was initially expected to last until July. Thursday's ruling said that a higher court would select the three new judges by lottery "within a reasonable period of time." The case accuses Maradona's medical team of failing to provide adequate care for the soccer star in weeks leading up to his sudden death on Nov. 25, 2020. Maradona died at age 60 from cardiac arrest while recovering from surgery for a blood clot on the brain at a rented home outside Buenos Aires. Although the case largely hinges on medical technicalities, the biweekly testimonies have also become tabloid fodder — like much in Maradona's life, which included long spates of drug and alcohol abuse. Experts have taken the stand to allege that Maradona agonized for 12 hours before his death, while his sisters and daughters have tearfully accused his medics of leaving him alone in squalor when he should have been hospitalized. The defendants, who deny all accusations, were charged with culpable homicide, a crime similar to involuntary manslaughter in that it implies the accused were aware of the risk caused by their reckless conduct and ignored it. They include Leopoldo Luque, Maradona's primary physician at the time of his death, as well as his psychologist, psychiatrist, medical coordinator and nurses. The crime carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. The defendants say Maradona was a difficult patient who did not allow himself to be treated. Maradona, who famously led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, is regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. His rags-to-riches story resonated with his fellow Argentines and he is widely revered as a national hero. Maradona played in four FIFA World Cups during his career with Argentina, leading the team to win the 1986 World Cup title against West Germany. He also coached the national team during the 2010 tournament. One of Maradona's most iconic moments as a player was during the 1986 championship run in Mexico City. Maradona scored a goal in a quarterfinal match against England by lightly using his fist, out of the referees' view. He described the goal as "the hand of God."
ABC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Argentine court declares mistrial over death of soccer star Maradona
An Argentine court has declared a mistrial in the case of seven health professionals accused of negligence in the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona. On Thursday, local time, the judges ruled there would be a new trial, without specifying when. It is the latest soap-operatic turn in a trial that has transfixed the soccer world. The pivot comes after one of the three judges overseeing the trial stepped down over criticism surrounding her participation in a forthcoming documentary series about the case, Divine Justice, which spanned from the aftermath of Maradona's death, as scandals and suspicions of foul play began to emerge, to the start of the trial. In calling for the judge, Julieta Makintach, to be recused, the prosecutor on Tuesday presented the trailer for her documentary — a one-and-a-half-minute teaser that intercuts archival footage of Maradona scoring iconic goals with shots of Ms Makintach strutting through the corridors of the Buenos Aires courthouse in high heels and a short skirt as a string soundtrack heightens suspense. The prosecutor asked judges to investigate allegations Ms Makintach had violated judicial ethics in allowing a camera crew inside the courthouse to film her overseeing closed-door hearings for the reality TV-style series. As the claims snowballed into a national scandal, Ms Makintach on Tuesday said she had "no choice" but to resign from the case. The judges decided on Thursday to retry the entire case, effectively turning the clock back on all proceedings since March 11, when the trial began amid intense media scrutiny and called dozens of distraught witnesses to testify over 21 hearings. "Judge Makintach did not act impartially. Her conduct caused harm to both the plaintiffs and the defence," Judge Maximiliano Savarino said in declaring the mistrial. "The only person responsible is the recused judge. "This is an unpleasant decision." At the courthouse, two of the soccer star's daughters, Gianinna and Dalma Maradona, began to weep. The decision threw into doubt the timeline of the trial, which was initially expected to last until July. Thursday's ruling said a higher court would select the three new judges by lottery "within a reasonable period of time". The case accuses Maradona's medical team of failing to provide adequate care for the soccer star in weeks leading up to his sudden death on November 25, 2020. Maradona died at age 60 from cardiac arrest while recovering from surgery for a blood clot on the brain at a rented home outside Buenos Aires. Although the case largely hinges on medical technicalities, the bi-weekly testimonies have also become tabloid fodder — like much in Maradona's life, which included long spates of drug and alcohol abuse. Experts have taken the stand to allege that Maradona agonised for 12 hours before his death while his sisters and daughters have tearfully accused his medics of leaving him alone in squalor when he should have been hospitalised. The defendants, who deny all accusations, were charged with culpable homicide, a crime similar to involuntary manslaughter in that it implies the accused were aware of the risk caused by their reckless conduct and ignored it. They include Leopoldo Luque, Maradona's primary physician at the time of his death, as well as his psychologist, psychiatrist, medical coordinator and nurses. The crime carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. The defendants say Maradona was a difficult patient who did not allow himself to be treated. Maradona, who famously led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, is regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. His rags-to-riches story resonated with his fellow Argentines and he is widely revered as a national hero. AP
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Argentine court declares a mistrial in the case over the death of Diego Maradona
An Argentine court on Thursday declared a mistrial in the case of seven health professionals accused of negligence in the death of football legend Diego Maradona. It was the latest dramatic twist in a trial that has captivated the nation and the football world for more than two months. The whiplash decision comes after one of the three judges overseeing the trial stepped down over criticism surrounding her participation in a forthcoming documentary about the case. Julieta Makintach withdrew from the case after the prosecutor showed footage of the documentary that spans the first moments after the football star's death in 2020 to the start of the trial more than two months ago, in which the judge appears as one of its lead characters. Maradona, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986, died on November 25, 2020, while undergoing home hospitalisation on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, days after undergoing surgery for a hematoma that formed between his skull and brain. He was 60. Seven healthcare professionals are on trial for allegedly failing to provide adequate care and could face a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Related Topics Diego Maradona / Argentina
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Argentine court declares mistrial in case over death of Diego Maradona
It was the latest dramatic twist in a trial that has captivated the nation and the football world for more than two months. The decision comes after one of the three judges overseeing the trial stepped down amid criticism surrounding her participation in a forthcoming documentary about the case. Her withdrawal compelled the court to either appoint a new judge in her place or to retry the entire case from scratch. On Thursday, the judges decided the latter, effectively turning the clock back on all proceedings in the case that accuses Maradona's medical team of failing to provide adequate care for the soccer star in his final days. The judges ruled there would be a new trial, without specifying when. Julieta Makintach said that she had 'no choice' but to resign from the case on Tuesday after the prosecutor showed a teaser-trailer for a documentary, Divine Justice, which traces the aftermath of Maradona's death at the age of 60 to the start of the trial, clearly featuring Ms Makintach as a main protagonist. Maradona, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986, died on November 25, 2020 on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, days after undergoing surgery for a haematoma that formed between his skull and brain.
