An Argentine court has declared a mistrial in the homicide case against the medical team of the late football legend Diego Maradona, amid concerns over judicial impartiality. This decision came on Thursday, following the removal of Judge Julieta Makintach from the case after one of the defendants raised objections regarding her ability to remain neutral. Allegations included that she allowed a documentary crew to film courtroom proceedings, which is said to violate court protocols.
Although Judge Makintach accepted her disqualification, she defended her actions, asserting her neutrality and denying any wrongdoing. A new trial is set to commence with a different panel of judges, although the timeline for this remains unspecified. Prosecutor Cosme Iribarren indicated that the new court would revisit the evidence and establish a hearing for re-evaluating accusations and defence strategies.
Lawyer Fernando Burlando, representing Maradona’s daughters, expressed hope for a more efficient trial process, suggesting that familiarity with the case might facilitate a quicker resolution. He optimistically predicted that a verdict regarding Maradona’s death could be reached by the end of the year, while Dalma Maradona voiced a desire for progress in the legal proceedings.
Maradona, who passed away from heart failure at the age of 60 in November 2020 following surgery for a subdural haematoma, had been a towering figure in football, famously leading Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986. Prosecutors allege that medical negligence contributed to his death, charging eight medical personnel with “simple homicide” and claiming that the care during his home hospitalisation was reckless. The trial for seven defendants began in March, while the eighth is expected to face a jury trial subsequently, with potential sentences ranging from eight to 25 years in prison.