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Future of Maradona trial in doubt as judge steps down over TV show role Judge in trial of Maradona’s medical team steps down over TV show role
(about 7 hours later)
Julieta Makintach accused of behaving ‘like an actress’ after shooting documentary about trial of footballer’s medical team Trial suspended after Julieta Makintach, accused of behaving ‘like an actress’, took part in documentary about case
A key judge in the trial of the late Argentinian footballer Diego Maradona’s medical team has stepped down after it emerged she had been shooting a racy miniseries about the months-old trial, potentially breaking a string of ethics rules. One of the three judges presiding over the trial of the medical team of late Argentine footballer Diego Maradona has stepped down after it emerged she had been taking part in a documentary miniseries about the high-profile case, which has been under way since March.
Julieta Makintach, 47, who has been called the “judge of God”, recused herself after she was accused on Tuesday of violating her impartiality, influence-peddling and bribery over her role in the documentary miniseries Divine Justice, casting doubt on the future of the high-profile trial. Julieta Makintach, 47, recused herself on Tuesday after prosecutors presented footage and scripts from the documentary, arguing that the filming – carried out without the knowledge of the other judges, Maradona’s family, or the defendants – had compromised her impartiality in the trial.
Maradona died in November 2020, at the age of 60, while recovering from brain surgery. His seven-person medical team is on trial in Buenos Aires over the conditions of his home convalescence, described by prosecutors as grossly negligent. Maradona died in November 2020, at the age of 60, while recovering from brain surgery. His seven-person medical team is on trial in San Isidro, part of the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, over the conditions of his home convalescence, described by prosecutors as grossly negligent.
Following a series of police raids and a one-week suspension of the case, a trailer for the feature was played in court showing Makintach stalking the halls of justice in high heels as grim details of the footballing legend’s demise were relayed. After Makintach’s departure, the two remaining judges decided to temporarily suspend the trial until tomorrow.
According to a script, the miniseries would follow Makintach as she “reconstructs the death of Maradona and certain painful milestones of his life related to abandonment”. Footage appeared to contain unauthorised recordings allegedly made inside the courtroom, a violation of court rules. The trial had already been suspended for a week due to allegations that the judge was involved in covert filming of the legal proceedings.
Tuesday’s hearing was marked by insults, recriminations, shouting and tears. In a bitter exchange, the prosecutor, Patricio Ferrari, accused Makintach of behaving “like an actress and not a judge”. Prosecutors launched a criminal investigation, which included search operations.
As the trailer was played, the defence lawyer Rodolfo Baque jumped out of his chair to shout “trash!” at the judge. Gianinna Maradona, Maradona’s daughter, tried to calm him, before she and Maradona’s former partner Veronica Ojeda both began sobbing uncontrollably. At yesterday’s hearing, before the evidence was presented, Makintach denied any wrongdoing, claiming she had merely given an “informal interview” about the case and that she had been the target of “media ridicule”.
Makintach sat with her head bowed, biting her lip and eventually said she had “no choice” but to recuse herself as one of the case’s three justices. Her removal is an embarrassment for Argentina’s judicial system and could yet derail a trial being watched around the world. However, a 1-minute-50-second trailer shown by public prosecutor Patricio Ferrari revealed a far more sophisticated production level.
Maradona – considered one of the world’s greatest players – died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema. Those responsible for his medical care face prison terms between eight and 25 years if convicted of homicide with possible intent. The charges relate to their decision to allow him to recover from major surgery at home, and the conditions of his care. Amid excerpts of news reports on the death of the Argentine football legend, the judge is shown from several angles arriving at and walking around the San Isidro courthouse where the case is being heard.
According to prosecutors, the footage was shot on Sunday, 9 March – two days before the trial began – without authorisation or a record of the visit.
The caption reads: “Five years later: a death, an idol, a judge, a trial.” Makintach is filmed entering her office, sitting down, looking into the camera, before the title of the miniseries appears: “Divine Justice”.
The next show was allegedly filmed from inside the courtroom – something that technically should not have been allowed – and shows Makintach at the centre of the frame.
Then comes the phrase “The judge behind D10S,” a reference to Maradona​’s “divine” nickname, playing on the Spanish word for God (Dios) and the iconic number 10 shirt worn by one of the world’s greatest players.
As the trailer was played, the defence lawyer Rodolfo Baque jumped out of his chair to shout “trash!” at the judge. Gianinna Maradona, Maradona’s daughter, tried to calm him, before she and Maradona’s former partner Verónica Ojeda both began sobbing uncontrollably.
Prosecutor Ferrari accused Makintach of behaving “like an actress and not a judge”. He said the miniseries would feature the judge as the main protagonist across its six episodes.
The judge sat with her head bowed, biting her lip and eventually said she had “no choice” but to recuse herself as one of the case’s three justices.
Maradona died at his home in Buenos Aires, where he was recovering from surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain, performed just days earlier. The cause of death was heart failure and acute pulmonary oedema.
Prosecutors have described the medical care Maradona received as “reckless, inadequate, and unprecedented”, arguing that his death could have been prevented. The charges against his medical team relate to the decision to allow him to recover from major surgery at home, and the conditions of the care he received there.
The seven defendants could face prison terms ranging from eight to 25 years if convicted of homicide with possible intent.
Gianinna Maradona has claimed her father was kept in “a dark, ugly and lonely” place and that his carers were more interested in money than his welfare.Gianinna Maradona has claimed her father was kept in “a dark, ugly and lonely” place and that his carers were more interested in money than his welfare.
The court will decide on Thursday whether the trial will go ahead or be scrapped and then restarted. Some of the plaintiffs have called for a new trial, saying they felt proceedings had been tainted by scandal. On​ Thursday, the two remaining judges are expected to announce whether the trial will proceed – and if so, whether it will continue with just ​the two ​o​f them or with a ​new third member​ – or be declared void.
Some of the plaintiffs have called for a new trial, saying they felt proceedings had been tainted by scandal.
“Everyone now feels that this is compromised,” said Mario Baudry, Ojeda’s lawyer. “It’s healthiest to start over from scratch.”“Everyone now feels that this is compromised,” said Mario Baudry, Ojeda’s lawyer. “It’s healthiest to start over from scratch.”