Judge Julieta Makintach was dismissed and barred from future judicial office after footage of her being interviewed for a documentary prompted her recusal and the annulment of the negligence trial against Diego Maradona's medical team. The case centers on whether doctors were grossly negligent in allowing Maradona to recover at home two weeks after brain surgery. Defendants — including a neurosurgeon, another physician and a night nurse — face charges of "homicide with possible intent" and potential sentences of 8–25 years if convicted.
Judge Removed After Documentary Footage Triggers Mistrial in Diego Maradona Medical Negligence Case
Judge Julieta Makintach was dismissed and barred from future judicial office after footage of her being interviewed for a documentary prompted her recusal and the annulment of the negligence trial against Diego Maradona's medical team. The case centers on whether doctors were grossly negligent in allowing Maradona to recover at home two weeks after brain surgery. Defendants — including a neurosurgeon, another physician and a night nurse — face charges of "homicide with possible intent" and potential sentences of 8–25 years if convicted.
11:48 PM, 11/18/2025Society
Judge removed after documentary involvement leads to annulled trial
An Argentine judicial panel on Tuesday dismissed and disqualified Judge Julieta Makintach, 48, after footage showing her participation in a documentary prompted her recusal and the annulment of the negligence trial against the late soccer legend Diego Maradona's medical team.
Panel decision: A special panel made up of judges, lawyers and provincial legislators voted to remove Makintach from her post and bar her from holding future judicial office, citing potential breaches of judicial ethics and the appearance of bias.
Background: Makintach had been one of three judges on the trial that followed Maradona's death on Nov. 25, 2020. Maradona, 60, died of heart failure and acute pulmonary edema two weeks after brain surgery to remove a blood clot. He was found dead in his bed by a day nurse.
The prosecution has accused the medical team of gross negligence for allowing Maradona to recuperate at a private home with limited supervision and equipment instead of in a medical facility. Defendants include a neurosurgeon, another physician and a night nurse, according to BBC reports.
Charges: The medical staff face charges of "homicide with possible intent," which Argentine prosecutors describe as pursuing a course of action despite knowing it could result in death. If convicted, defendants could face prison terms ranging from eight to 25 years.
Makintach initially denied participating in or authorizing any filming for the documentary. However, video footage circulated in Argentine media appearing to show her being interviewed by a film crew on the eve of the trial led to her recusal and intensified criticism from prosecutors and defense lawyers alike.
Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari accused Makintach of behaving "like an actress and not a judge."
When a trailer for the documentary was screened in court earlier this year, defense lawyer Rodolfo Baque reportedly shouted, "Trash!" at Makintach. Members of Maradona's family, including his daughter and former partner, were visibly upset after seeing the footage.
The dismissal of Makintach raises fresh legal and procedural questions for the already high-profile case and may complicate the path forward for prosecutors seeking to hold members of Maradona's medical team accountable.