BUENOS AIRES — A high-profile Argentine court case probing the death of football legend Diego Maradona was abruptly nullified on Thursday, after it was revealed that one of the judges had appeared in a TV miniseries related to the case.
Judge Julieta Makintach was removed from the proceedings for her involvement in “Divine Justice”, a documentary-style show which featured unauthorized footage from the courthouse and scenes showing her dramatically walking through court corridors. The footage raised serious questions about judicial ethics and impartiality.
Judge Maximiliano Savarino ruled that the scandal had “caused prejudice” to the already emotional proceedings, prompting a full retrial with three new judges.
The trial had begun in March and included testimony from over 40 witnesses, including Maradona’s children and ex-partners. They described his final days as “dark,” “agonizing,” and characterized by gross negligence from his seven-member medical team. Prosecutors allege that Maradona was “abandoned to his fate” while recovering from brain surgery in 2020. Makintach, 47, is now under investigation for violating impartiality, influence peddling, and possibly bribery, following her suspension from judicial duties.
“I am not calm. I am angry. I hate them!” said Jana Maradona, one of Diego’s daughters.
“If I have to do it a thousand times more, I will,” added ex-partner Veronica Ojeda. No date has been set for the new trial, which will begin with a judicial lottery to appoint new judges. If convicted, the medical staff could face 8 to 25 years in prison for “homicide with possible intent.”
As Argentina reels from this unexpected legal twist, a local headline captured the national mood:
“Maradona still not at peace.”
