A mistrial was declared by an Argentine court on Thursday concerning the case against seven health professionals accused of negligence in the death of soccer icon Diego Maradona. This development occurred after one of the three judges overseeing the proceedings, Judge Julieta Makintach, withdrew due to controversy surrounding her involvement in a documentary about the case.
Judge Makintach resigned from her position on Tuesday. The documentary, titled `Divine Justice,` reportedly covers events from the immediate aftermath of Maradona`s death in 2020 up to the commencement of the trial. Her significant role in the film sparked controversy, leading prosecutor Patricio Ferrari to request the San Isidro court review the matter and suspend the trial for a week while the issue was examined.
The declaration of a mistrial effectively nullifies all court proceedings that have taken place since March 11. A higher court is now tasked with randomly selecting three new judges via a lottery system. A date for the retrial has not yet been scheduled.
The case centers on accusations that seven members of the medical team responsible for Maradona`s care failed to provide adequate treatment for the legendary 1986 World Cup winner. Maradona died in November 2020 from cardiac arrest at the age of 60, while recovering from surgery for a blood clot in his brain. The defendants include his primary physician Leopoldo Luque, as well as his psychologist, psychiatrist, medical coordinator, and nurses. They have consistently denied the negligence charges, arguing that Maradona was a difficult patient who often resisted medical treatment.
Diego Maradona remains a national hero in Argentina and is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. He participated in four FIFA World Cups, famously leading Argentina to victory in the 1986 tournament, where his performance against England in the quarter-finals cemented his legendary status globally.
Dominic Ashworth