The judge is said to have secretly filmed a documentary about the Maradona trial – now the proceedings have collapsed

The latest chapter in the seemingly endless series of scandals surrounding the life and death of football legend Diego Armando Maradona came to light on Tuesday. A video shown by the public prosecutor's office caused consternation and outrage in the courtroom of the 3rd Criminal Court of San Isidro, a suburb of Buenos Aires. It shows Judge Julieta Makintach arriving at the courthouse, in her office, and during a hearing in the courtroom.

The video is footage from the documentary "Justicia Divina" ("Divine Justice") about the trial surrounding the circumstances of Maradona's death on November 25, 2020. What's explosive is that Makintach is one of the three judges who have presided over the trial since the beginning of March. She had neither informed her fellow judges nor other people involved in the trial that her work was being filmed for a documentary, nor is such filming even compatible with the regulations.

The prosecution accused Makintach of working behind the backs of everyone involved in the six-part series, in which the judge plays a central role. The accusation is that Makintach presided over the trial as an actress, not as a judge. The lawyers for the joint plaintiffs and the defendants were equally outraged and supported the prosecution's motion to declare the judge biased.

The defense considered it proven that the seven defendants could not expect a fair trial under these circumstances. "What better ending for such a documentary than a conviction? After all, an acquittal wouldn't sell (the film) so well, would it?" said the defense attorney for Maradona's personal physician, Leopoldo Luque.

In court, Makintach vehemently denied any involvement in the film project. She claimed she was the victim of a smear campaign. After hours of discussion, she finally withdrew from the trial. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of the Province of Buenos Aires placed the judge on 90-day leave. The university where she teaches criminal law also announced Makintach's suspension.

The judge's breach of duty has dramatic consequences for the trial. The prosecution believes that Makintach's conduct also biased the two other judges and demanded the appointment of a new panel. On Thursday, the remaining judges effectively declared the trial null and void. It must therefore be reopened. The verdicts were originally scheduled to be announced in July. This has now been canceled.

In addition to neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and five other people entrusted with Maradona's care must appear in court. They are accused of negligent homicide. They allegedly failed to fulfill their medical duties and left the critically ill 60-year-old to his fate. The 1986 World Cup winner is said to have struggled alone with death for over twelve hours. The defendants face prison sentences of between eight and 25 years.

National hero Maradona seems to find no peace even after death. The transfer of his body to a mausoleum built especially for him near the Presidential Palace in downtown Buenos Aires, originally scheduled for October 2024, has been put on hold. A financial dispute between Maradona's daughters and lawyer Matías Morla, who owns the marketing rights to Maradona products, is allegedly the reason for the delay.