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 involved in the case, which has been adjourned. A decision on whether to order 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 and 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 eight to 25 years in prison.

The trial began on March 11 and was expected to last until July. However, its future is now uncertain. Judge Makintach stated she had "no choice" but to excuse herself from the case.

It is against court rules for unauthorized filming to occur. During court proceedings, footage from the documentary series Divine Justice was shown. Defense lawyer Rodolfo Baque shouted "trash!" at Judge Makintach during this time.

Maradona's daughter Gianinna and former partner Veronica Ojeda cried upon seeing the footage. Ojeda's lawyer Mario Baudry expressed concerns that the case felt "compromised." He suggested it would be "healthiest to start over from scratch."

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.