Judge Julieta Makintach was accused of taking part in a documentary about the death of a famous footballer.
One of three judges who are primarily sided with a negligence trial in connection with the death of Argentine footballer Diego Maradona, has resigned, leaving the future of the case uncertainty.
On Tuesday, Judge Julieta Makintach announced that she would reject herself after reports were revealed that she had participated in a documentary about Maradona’s death and its aftermath.
“This is a judicial tragedy,” said Fernando Barland, the lawyer for Maradona’s eldest son, Dharma and Gianna.
The judges are largely prohibited from participating in interviews and other public commentary while the process is underway. Since March 11, Makintach has been part of a three-judicial panel considering the fate of seven health workers who had been leaning towards Maradona in their final days.
Seven were charged with negligent homicide after Maradona’s death in 2020 due to cardiac arrest at 60 years old.
It is a well-known case that sparked much scrutiny in Argentina. Maradona was a national hero and led the national football team to a World Cup victory in 1986.
His performance at that year’s World Cup tournament later became a sport legend. Even the fouls he committed in the quarterfinals were called “the hand of God.” Because it led to Argentina’s victory over England.
FIFA is the governing body of football, named Maradona alongside Brazil’s Pere in 2000.
However, Maradona struggled with addiction and he died shortly after undergoing brain surgery due to a blood clot. The circumstances of his death, in turn, led to questions about whether the footballer had received appropriate medical care in his final days.
Seven defendants include neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, nurses and other medical professionals. If convicted, they will be in prison for up to 25 years. The eighth is expected to face the court separately.
Over 190 witnesses are expected to testify against seven major defendants. A coroner already told the court in March that Maradona’s death was “foreseeable” and that the footballer likely died of “suffering.”
However, the trial was suspended last week when one of the key defendants, Leopold Ruk, called on Judge Makintach to remove it from the bench.
Ruk was a neurosurgeon and was Maradona’s private doctor when he died. Luk’s lawyer, Julio Ribas, told the court that his client was approached by the British press company BBC to take part in the documentary.
Through that interaction, Rivas explained that he learned that the documentary’s production company had a relationship to judge Makintach’s brother Juan Makintach.
Police also indicated they saw cameras in court.
On May 20, prosecutor Patricio Ferrari asked for a week to suspend the trial while the case was reviewed. The footage was submitted to the court from a documentary showing the start of the trial. It seemed to introduce the judge as a central figure.
Judge Makintach denied any misconduct. However, Ferrari argued that “the situation undermines the reputation of the judicial system.”
It is unclear whether the new judge will replace Makintach in the coming months.
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