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Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Argentine court declares mistrial in Diego Maradona death case over judicial ethics breach
Judge's documentary role prompts legal reversal A court in Argentina has declared a mistrial in the ongoing trial against seven health professionals accused of medical negligence in the 2020 death of soccer legend Diego Maradona. The ruling followed the recusal of Judge Julieta Makintach, who came under scrutiny after her involvement in a documentary series titled Divine Justice , which covers the aftermath of Maradona's death through the current legal proceedings. Also read: Was Diego Maradona's death a case of tragic negligence or cold-blooded murder? Disturbing details emerge as court probes how the Argentine football legend died The prosecutor presented a trailer from the series, alleging that Makintach violated judicial ethics by allowing a film crew to document her actions inside the Buenos Aires courthouse. The teaser included dramatized footage of the judge walking through court halls during closed-door sessions. Live Events Makintach resigned from the case on Tuesday, May 27, saying she had 'no choice' but to withdraw. On Thursday, May 29, Judge Maximiliano Savarino stated that Makintach's lack of impartiality had undermined the case and led to the mistrial. New trial ordered after ethics controversy The decision voids all progress made since the trial's start on March 11, 2024. A higher court will now assign a new panel of three judges through a lottery system. No new trial date has been set, though the court stated it would occur 'within a reasonable period of time.' The trial had already conducted 21 hearings, calling on numerous witnesses including medical experts and family members. It was originally expected to conclude by July 2025. The reset now delays the proceedings indefinitely. Two of Maradona's daughters, Gianinna and Dalma, were present at the courthouse and became emotional upon hearing the decision. Also read: Diego Maradona's medical team on trial for homicide, faces 25 years in jail Medical negligence at center of charges The seven defendants, including Diego Maradona's primary physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, medical coordinator, and two nurses, face charges of culpable homicide. This Argentine legal classification is similar to involuntary manslaughter and carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. Prosecutors allege that Maradona's care team failed to monitor and hospitalize him appropriately during his recovery from brain surgery in late 2020. He died of cardiac arrest on November 25, 2020, at age 60, while at a rented home outside Buenos Aires. Expert testimony in the earlier phase of the trial indicated that Maradona may have suffered for up to 12 hours without sufficient medical supervision. The defendants deny all charges and argue that Maradona was uncooperative and refused necessary medical treatment. Public and legal attention continues The case has received extensive attention across Argentina and globally, given Maradona's prominent legacy in international soccer. Known for leading Argentina to a World Cup victory in 1986, Maradona is considered one of the sport's greatest players. Also read: Maradona's final play: Doctor claims home care was 'red card' to recovery in testimony His personal life, which included struggles with substance abuse, has remained a frequent subject of public interest. The trial's combination of legal, ethical, and personal drama has further amplified its visibility in Argentine media. Despite the legal setback, the case is expected to resume under a newly assigned judicial panel. Schedules and procedural details will be announced after the court completes its judge selection. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fewer Atlantans are taking the train, but MARTA says numbers are off
The Brief MARTA rail ridership was down more than six percent in 2023 compared to 2022. The agency blames broken faregates for the lower reported numbers. Advocates call for more reliable transit beyond commuter hours." ATLANTA - Ridership on MARTA trains has dropped in the last year, according to new data from the Federal Transit Administration. It shows a six percent decline in 2024, missing MARTA's own projections. That equates to about two million fewer trips compared to 2023, despite Atlanta's population boom. That's concerning to Darin Givens, an advocate for public transit. "In Atlanta, it's particularly concerning because we have seen such huge population growth here in the last several years," said Givens, who founded ThreadATL, a transit advocacy organization. MARTA leaders did not agree to an on-camera interview with FOX 5, but a spokesperson emailed a statement. "We are confident that the observed decrease in rail ridership is not real," said Payson Schwin, MARTA's communication manager. "But instead due to a steady increase in faregates not reporting Breeze card taps." Schwin also said fewer people in Atlanta depend on public transit, and more workplaces have hybrid models. What we know According to the Federal Transit Administration, MARTA's rail ridership dropped by two million trips in 2024. The decline comes even as Atlanta's real estate market thrives, especially near transit centers and train stations. MARTA representatives argue that the numbers do not reflect reality, attributing the decrease to malfunctioning faregates that fail to record Breeze card taps. "We are still working to uncover the root cause of why the data started to go missing, which has made it more challenging to fix," Schwin said. "Our faregates vendor Cubic has intensified their efforts to fix faregates that aren't reporting Breeze data, and we are encouraged by a noticeable decrease in the number of faregates not reporting data in the past month. Our teams will continue to track this issue going forward." The other side Advocates like Darin Givens challenge MARTA's explanation, believing broken faregates are not solely responsible, given the booming real estate market. "I don't buy that this problem of the fare gates and of the Breeze card readers being broken is completely to blame," Givens said. However, he acknowledges that many faregates and Breeze machines on buses are in disrepair. Since MARTA heavily relies on fare revenue, this issue impacts the agency more than others. The backstory MARTA's rail system was originally designed for office commuters, Givens said. But the pandemic and shifting work patterns have left downtown with a lot of empty office towers. He believes the transit system must adapt to better serve Atlanta's evolving needs. What's next MARTA says it is replacing every turnstile across the system to allow for credit card and mobile payments, the spokesperson said. The upgrades are expected to be completed in time for the 2026 World Cup. Advocates stress the need for increased weekend and non-commuter service to ensure MARTA remains a viable option for all types of travelers. The Source This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo. Data was obtained from the Federal Transit Administration's website.
