The legal proceedings against seven members of Diego Maradona's medical team for negligent homicide will need to restart following a significant judicial error.
Trial of Maradona's Medical Team Declared Mistrial Amid Judge Controversy
Trial of Maradona's Medical Team Declared Mistrial Amid Judge Controversy
A judge's involvement in a documentary leads to the collapse of the high-profile case.
The trial against the medical personnel involved in Diego Maradona's care has been declared a mistrial in Argentina after revelations that a presiding judge participated in a documentary about the case. Presiding judge Julieta Makintach, who stepped down earlier this week, was accused of conducting herself "like an actress" while the documentary, titled "Divine Justice," was being filmed without court authorization.
The trial commenced on March 11 and was expected to run until July, targeting seven members of Maradona's medical team, including a neurosurgeon and a doctor, who are facing charges of negligent homicide in connection with Maradona's death from a heart attack in November 2020, following a brain surgery. They have consistently denied the allegations and assert that Maradona had opted against further treatment and should have remained at home for an extended recovery period.
Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari criticized Makintach for her dual role in the filming, leading to raised tensions in the courtroom. As a trailer for the documentary was shown, defense attorney Rodolfo Baque erupted, calling the material "trash," while Maradona's daughter Gianinna and his ex-partner Veronica Ojeda were visibly upset by the footage.
The trial has already seen testimony from nearly 50 witnesses, including Maradona's own daughters. After the ruling for a mistrial was issued, no timeline for a new trial was provided, and new judges have not been appointed as of yet. The proceedings surrounding the legendary football figure's death continue to capture significant media attention in Argentina and beyond.
The trial commenced on March 11 and was expected to run until July, targeting seven members of Maradona's medical team, including a neurosurgeon and a doctor, who are facing charges of negligent homicide in connection with Maradona's death from a heart attack in November 2020, following a brain surgery. They have consistently denied the allegations and assert that Maradona had opted against further treatment and should have remained at home for an extended recovery period.
Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari criticized Makintach for her dual role in the filming, leading to raised tensions in the courtroom. As a trailer for the documentary was shown, defense attorney Rodolfo Baque erupted, calling the material "trash," while Maradona's daughter Gianinna and his ex-partner Veronica Ojeda were visibly upset by the footage.
The trial has already seen testimony from nearly 50 witnesses, including Maradona's own daughters. After the ruling for a mistrial was issued, no timeline for a new trial was provided, and new judges have not been appointed as of yet. The proceedings surrounding the legendary football figure's death continue to capture significant media attention in Argentina and beyond.
