Judge in Diego Maradona case accused of behaving like an 'actress'

A judge in Argentina has stepped down from the trial of Diego Maradona's medical staff. She faced criticism for participating in a documentary about the case.

Seven members of Maradona's medical team are charged with negligent homicide. They deny these allegations.

Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari accused Judge Julieta Makintach of acting "like an actress and not a judge." She was one of three judges in this case, which is now adjourned. A decision on a new trial will be made on Thursday.

Maradona died at home in Buenos Aires after surgery for a brain blood clot. He suffered a heart attack at age 60 in November 2020.

Prosecutors claim his death could have been avoided. They describe the care he received as "reckless, deficient and unprecedented."

The medical team includes a neurosurgeon, a doctor, and a night nurse. They argue that Maradona refused further treatment and should have stayed home longer after his operation.

If convicted, they face prison sentences between eight and 25 years. The trial began on March 11 and was expected to last until July, but its future is uncertain now.

Judge Makintach stated she had "no choice" but to excuse herself from the case. She denied authorizing filming inside the Buenos Aires court, but her credibility was questioned after footage emerged from a trailer.

Unauthorized filming violates court rules. During the trailer's showing in court, defense lawyer Rodolfo Baque shouted "trash!" at Judge Makintach.

Maradona's daughter Gianinna and former partner Veronica Ojeda cried upon seeing the footage. Ms. Ojeda's lawyer Mario Baudry expressed concern that the case felt "compromised" and suggested starting over would be best.

The court will decide if the trial can continue with a new judge or if it must restart entirely. In July, an eighth member of Maradona's medical team will face a separate jury trial.