Diego Maradona homicide trial collapses after judge appeared in documentary

Judge Julieta Makintach has stood down from the trial into the death of Argentina international footballer Diego Maradona, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 60

View 2 Images

A judge in a homicide trial around the death of Argentina football legend Diego Maradona has been accused of "acting like an actress" after appearing in a documentary. Lawyers representing Maradona's medical team have claimed a mistrial has been declared over the matter, according to local reports.

Maradona, who starred in Argentina's 1986 World Cup win, died in 2020 at the age of 60. He suffered a cardiac arrest at a house in Tigre, a city to the north of Argentine capital Buenos Aires, where he had been recovering from surgery following an operation to remove a blood clot on his brain.

Seven members of the footballer's medical team were charged with homicide, potentially facing maximum sentences of up to 25 years in prison. They denied charges "simple homicide with eventual intent", with the trial beginning in March.

According to Reuters, no new trial date or new judges have been confirmed at the time of writing. The latest developments come after Julieta Mackintach - one of three judges assigned to the case - resigned amid allegations of an "ethical breach".

The same reports claims Makintach was seen being interviewed by a camera crew outside the courthouse and in her office. The unauthorised filming is said to represent a breach of judicial rules, and saw the judge criticised by prosecutor Patricio Ferrari.

According to the BBC, it was Ferrari who accused Makintach of behaving "like an actress and not a judge". “She has been completely influenced by her leading role, by the centrality of her figure," he is quoted as saying.

Makintach has since said she had no choice but to step away. The Telegraph reports that footage of the documentary in question, entitled 'Divine Justice', was played to the court.

Judge Maximiliano Savarino also said Makintach, 47, had prejudiced proceedings. Ferrari, meanwhile, claims Makintach spoke about Maradona and about how the trial had been unfolding.

View 2 Images

The case had been expected to last for several months after beginning on March 11. There is no word yet on when proceedings will restart, with the court expected to decide whether proceedings can continue with a new judge or need to be restarted completely.

However, the prosecution and a number of lawyers for defence are both reported to have requested proceedings be restarted, with the complainants doing likewise. Those standing trial include a neurosurgeon, a doctor and a night nurse.

As many as 100 witnesses had been due to give evidence over the course of the trial. A number of individuals had already appeared in court before the latest developments.