Trial of medical workers collapses after documentary scandal

The trial of Diego Maradona’s medical workers has collapsed in Argentina after it was discovered {that a} decide concerned within the case had taken half in a documentary about it.

The decide in control of the proceedings mentioned the trial, which started on 11 March and was anticipated to final till July, must begin once more.

Seven members of Maradona’s medical group have been charged with negligent murder referring to the previous footballer’s demise in 2020. They deny the allegations.

One of many three presiding judges, Julieta Makintach, stepped down this week.

Maradona, a former Napoli and Argentina midfielder, had been recovering at his dwelling in Buenos Aires from mind surgical procedure for a blood clot in November 2020 when he died of a coronary heart assault, aged 60.

Among the many medical group on trial are a neurosurgeon, a health care provider and an evening nurse. They declare the retired footballer refused additional remedy and will have stayed at dwelling for longer after his operation.

If convicted, they face between eight and 25 years in jail.

Earlier this week, Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari accused Makintach of behaving “like an actress and never a decide” after she took half in a documentary concerning the case.

As a trailer for the documentary sequence, known as Divine Justice, was performed in court docket, defence lawyer Rodolfo Baque shouted “trash!” at Makintach.

Maradona’s daughter Gianinna and his former accomplice Veronica Ojeda each cried after seeing the footage.

It’s a violation of court docket guidelines for unauthorised filming to happen and the documentary was being filmed with out the permission of the court docket.

Following criticism for collaborating within the present, Makintach mentioned she had “no selection” however to excuse herself from the case.

The trial was then adjourned pending the choice on Thursday, which in the end was to declare a mistrial.

Since starting, the trial had heard the testimony of virtually 50 witnesses, together with Maradona’s daughters.

The date for the brand new trial was not initially set and new judges weren’t nominated.