The high-profile trial over the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has been thrown into disarray after one of the presiding judges, Julieta Makintach, recused herself following a scandal involving her appearance in a documentary related to the case.
Makintach, one of three judges overseeing the trial, announced her decision to step aside on Tuesday amid mounting pressure from defense lawyers who questioned her impartiality. The controversy arose after it emerged that she had participated in a documentary touching on the case, with unauthorized recordings allegedly made inside the courtroom.
Although Makintach denied any wrongdoing or bias, her credibility came under scrutiny when a trailer for the documentary showed her being interviewed and walking through the courtroom. She insisted she did not authorize any filming during the trial, which is subject to a strict ban on cameras. However, facing widespread calls for her removal, including from both defense and prosecution teams, she conceded, saying, “Given the request of all parties, I have no choice but to grant the recusal.”
The implications of her removal are significant. Legal experts warn that the trial could either see a replacement judge appointed or, more drastically, be declared null and restarted entirely. Several plaintiffs are already calling for a new trial, citing compromised integrity.
Maradona died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, from heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, just weeks after undergoing brain surgery for a blood clot. The seven medical professionals who oversaw his home recovery are facing serious charges of homicide with possible intent. Prosecutors allege gross negligence in his care, arguing the conditions of his home recovery were inadequate.
Maradona’s daughter, Gianinna, described her father’s final days as spent in a “dark, ugly and lonely” environment, claiming his caregivers appeared more interested in financial gain than his health.
With public interest high and the trial already fraught with controversy, Makintach’s exit adds another twist to an already complex legal saga. The court is now left to determine how to proceed amid growing concerns over the fairness and integrity of the proceedings.
