Argentina

Mistrial in Maradona Medical Case Over Judge's Documentary Role

Published MAY 30 2025

Story

Above: Judge Julieta Makintach, one of three judges presiding over Diego Maradona's death case, gets out of a car on arrival in court for a trial hearing in San Isidro, outskirts of Buenos Aires on May 27, 2025. Image credit: Tomas Cuesta/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

An Argentine court declared a mistrial in the case of seven health professionals accused of negligence in soccer legend Diego Maradona's death, after Judge Julieta Makintach stepped down over her participation in a documentary series.
BBC News
ap
The trial, which began March of this year, had already heard testimony from over 40 witnesses in over 20 hearings, including accounts from Maradona's daughters about their father's final days before his death on Nov. 25, 2020.
ESPN.com
Buenos Aires Times
ap
Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari presented evidence showing Judge Makintach being filmed in courthouse corridors and during closed-door hearings, leading to allegations of judicial ethics violations and unauthorized filming of court proceedings.
France 24
BBC News
Wsj
The defendants, including Maradona's primary physician Leopoldo Luque and other medical staff, face charges of culpable homicide carrying potential sentences of 8 to 25 years in prison for allegedly failing to provide adequate care before Maradona died of cardiac arrest.
ESPN.com
ap
guardian
Judge Maximiliano Savarino ruled that Makintach's conduct had caused harm to both plaintiffs and defense, necessitating a complete restart of proceedings with three new judges to be selected by lottery.
ap
France 24
Maradona, who led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup and is regarded as one of soccer's greatest players, died at age 60 while recovering from brain surgery at a rented home outside Buenos Aires.
Al Jazeera
ap

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

The mistrial represents a devastating setback for justice in Maradona's death investigation. Five years of investigative work has been effectively thrown away, and the delay could compromise the integrity of evidence and witness testimonies. The documentary scandal has turned a serious judicial proceeding into a circus, disrespecting both the court's dignity and Maradona's legacy.

Buenos Aires Times

Narrative B

This is one of several incidents that have imperiled the impartiality of this trial, including leaks which have harmed the defense. Diego Maradona was a national hero to Argentines beloved globally as a soccer legend, making it hard for the accused to receive fair treatment. The protracted trial has resulted in a trial by media, as people rush to conclusions about the defense. This latest setback is just one of many miscarriages of justice.