Judge Recuses in Diego Maradona Wrongful Death Proceedings
(MENAFN) One of the three judges presiding over the wrongful death trial of iconic Argentine footballer Diego Armando Maradona was forced to step down Tuesday amid serious concerns over her impartiality and conduct.
Judge Julieta Makintach, part of the Third Criminal Court of San Isidro, alongside colleagues Maximiliano Savarino and Veronica Di Tommaso, withdrew from the case, sparking uncertainty over the trial’s future.
Makintach had participated in an interview for a documentary related to the trial and reportedly allowed unauthorized filming inside the courtroom without notifying her fellow judges.
Since its start on March 11, the trial has conducted 19 sessions and heard from 44 witnesses, including Maradona’s three daughters. The football legend passed away on November 25, 2020, at 60 years old.
Makintach rejected accusations of any “irregularity,” “crime,” or “poor performance,” asserting the situation is “a massive media campaign to coerce” her and exclude her from the proceedings.
The trial now faces potential annulment, meaning it may have to be completely restarted. The decision will be made by judges Savarino and Di Tommaso after a recess scheduled for later Tuesday (5:00 p.m. local time, 8:00 p.m. GMT).
Both remaining judges have declared that they had "nothing to do" with the documentary.
The move to remove Makintach came at the request of the plaintiffs and their legal team, including Fernando Burlando, attorney for Dalma and Gianinna Maradona.
“This is a worldwide disgrace,” Burlando said, describing the documentary preview shown in court as “savage.”
The footage visibly upset Gianinna and Veronica Ojeda, Maradona’s former partner and mother of his youngest son Diego Fernando, both of whom broke down in tears during the screening.
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