The Argentine judge at the center of the collapsed trial into Diego Maradona’s death has stepped down after being linked to a secret documentary project about the case. Julieta Makintach, one of the three judges overseeing the trial, submitted her resignation in a letter addressed to the governor of Buenos Aires. Her lawyer confirmed the development on Tuesday.
Makintach’s appearance in the undisclosed film caused the trial to be scrapped in May, just two months after proceedings began. The case involves seven medical professionals accused of manslaughter over their alleged roles in the football legend’s death.
The trial has yet to be rescheduled. Makintach faced impeachment following her involvement in the unauthorized documentary, which reportedly focused on the legal proceedings surrounding Maradona’s final days.
Diego Maradona, widely hailed as one of the greatest footballers in history, died in November 2020 at age 60. He had recently undergone brain surgery and was recuperating at home when he suffered heart failure and acute pulmonary edema — a condition where fluid builds up in the lungs.
Prosecutors argue that his recovery conditions were severely inadequate and amounted to gross negligence. Makintach’s resignation adds another layer of controversy to an already sensitive and high-profile case.
