Judge Quits Amid Maradona Death Trial Documentary Scandal

The trial of seven healthcare workers accused of negligent homicide in the 2020 death of Diego Maradona has been disrupted after Judge Julieta Makintach resigned due to controversy over her appearance in the documentary 'Divine Justice,' which allegedly included courthouse footage during the ongoing proceedings. Accusations against Makintach included ethical breaches, impartiality violations, and influence peddling, prompting both prosecutors and lawyers for Maradona’s family to argue that her actions compromised the trial's integrity and to call for a retrial. Emotional reactions from Maradona's family and heated courtroom scenes followed the resignation. Among the defendants is Maradona's primary physician, along with doctors and nurses, all facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted. The remaining two judges must now decide whether to resume the trial or start over. The scandal has left the future of the case uncertain and intensified calls for justice from Maradona’s supporters.