Argentine Court Nullifies Maradona Death Trial Over Judge Documentary Involvement

The homicide trial of Diego Maradona's medical team in Argentina was nullified following the resignation of Judge Julieta Makintach, who was found to have participated in an unauthorized documentary about the case. Evidence surfaced, including footage and clips from the documentary "Divine Justice," showing Makintach being filmed inside the courtroom and acting in a manner deemed inappropriate and prejudicial to the trial. The remaining judges cited her conduct as causing prejudice to the proceedings, leading to the decision to restart the trial with a new panel of judges, requiring all witnesses to be re-examined and evidence to be presented again. The scandal has been widely regarded as an embarrassment for Argentina's judicial system, with accusations against Makintach including violations of impartiality and judicial ethics. Prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed that the ongoing trial, which had already heard over 40 witnesses, was compromised and must be restarted, although no new trial date has been set. The case, which involves seven members of Maradona's medical team charged with negligent homicide, remains unresolved amid calls for justice to proceed without stain from the controversy.