Judge in Diego Maradona's homicide trial in Argentina stands down amid scandal

Judge in Diego Maradona's homicide trial in Argentina stands down amid scandal
Judge Julieta Makintach arrives at the San Isidro court for the continuation of the trial of late soccer star's Diego Armando Maradona's death, as the Argentine court is expected to rule over an investigation of her participating in the trial, for allegedly taking part in a secretly filmed documentary of the trial, in San Isidro, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina on May 27.
PHOTO: Reuters

BUENOS AIRES — One of the three Argentine judges presiding in the trial of seven members of Diego Maradona's medical team charged with negligent homicide in the football star's 2020 death stepped down from the case on Tuesday (May 27) amid accusations of ethical breaches, leaving the future of the proceedings uncertain.

Judge Julieta Makintach stood down from the case after video surfaced in recent days showing her apparently being interviewed by a camera crew as part of a documentary in the corridors of the Buenos Aires courthouse and in her office. Court rules forbid such interviews involving a judge mid-trial.

Maradona's trial was adjourned until Thursday to decide next steps.

The trial began on March 11 in the South American country where the World Cup winner is a revered figure. The defendants have denied the charges of "simple homicide with eventual intent" in Maradona's treatment. If convicted, they could face prison sentences of between eight and 25 years.

"This is a judicial tragedy," Fernando Burlando, a lawyer for Maradona's eldest daughters, Dalma and Gianinna, told reporters on Tuesday, referring to the judge's behaviour.

Fernando Burlando, lawyer for the daughters of late Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, arrives at the San Isidro court for the continuation of the trial of Maradona's death, as the Argentine court is expected to rule over an investigation on Judge Julieta Makintach participating in the trial, for allegedly taking part in a secretly filmed documentary of the trial, in San Isidro, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina on May 27.
PHOTO: Reuters

Prosecutors have described the care given to Maradona as reckless, deficient and unprecedented.

What will follow in the trial remains unclear. Burlando said the trial could resume later this year with a new judge appointed to join the case's remaining two.

Maradona, considered one of the greatest players of all time, died at home in Buenos Aires in November 2020 from heart failure at age 60 while recovering from surgery to remove a blood clot experienced days earlier.

His death prompted an outpouring of grief and finger-pointing in Argentina over who was to blame after Maradona's years-long battle with addiction and ill health. Maradona led Argentina to a World Cup victory in 1986 and scored one of the most memorable goals in sporting history against England.

An eighth member of the medical team faces a separate trial by jury in July.

Testimony already given in the trial has come from witnesses including family members, doctors, friends of Maradona and journalists. One of the seven defendants, Maradona's psychiatrist, has testified. In all, more than 190 witness are expected to be called.

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Maradona death trial stirs emotions, anger in soccer-mad Argentina

Source: Reuters

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