In one of the most high-profile legal scandals in Argentina, a court on Thursday declared null the trial investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Maradona in 2020.

Seven health professionals were accused of neglecting the soccer legend’s care, but the judicial process will now be completely restarted under a new panel of judges. 

The annulment came after it emerged that one of the presiding judges, Julieta Makintach, participated in an unauthorized documentary about the trial.

This unprecedented situation led to Makintach being removed from the San Isidro court, just outside Buenos Aires, after more than two months of proceedings that had already seen over 40 witnesses testify. 

Judges Maximiliano Savarino and Verónica Di Tommaso announced the decision to nullify the trial during a Thursday hearing attended by the defendants and Maradona’s family. Gianinna and Dalma Maradona, two of the late star’s daughters, were visibly emotional.

The court concluded that it was not appropriate to continue the trial with a substitute judge for Makintach and determined that a completely new tribunal should be drawn to ensure the accused are fairly judged in a timely manner. 

A higher court in Buenos Aires province will now oversee the selection of three new judges for the retrial. The process will start from scratch, including the resubmission of evidence and witnesses, verification of judicial qualifications, and scheduling of the new trial dates. 

Verónica Ojeda, mother of Maradona’s son, Dieguito, expressed hope that the new trial would be “clean and fair,” telling journalists: “I know we have to testify from zero, and if I have to testify a hundred times more, I will… I want justice so that one day, when Dieguito grows up, he can have peace.” 

Who are the defendants in the trial?

The trial originally sought to determine the circumstances of Maradona’s death on November 25, 2020, at age 60, during home care in a rented property outside Buenos Aires. He had been recovering from surgery to remove a subdural hematoma two weeks earlier. 

The prosecution alleged that the seven accused professionals failed to provide adequate care to the former captain of the Argentina national team, who led the country to victory in the 1986 World Cup.

Charges include simple homicide with possible intent, carrying a maximum sentence of 25 years. Key defendants include neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Díaz, doctors Nancy Forlini and Pedro Di Spagna, nurse service provider Mariano Perroni, and nurse Ricardo Almirón. All deny negligence. 

Over roughly 20 hearings, witnesses and some of the defendants testified, denying responsibility. The trial’s legality came under scrutiny after Makintach’s participation in the documentary was revealed, with prosecutors arguing that her actions turned the proceedings into a “reality show” that compromised impartiality. 

Makintach’s recusal was accepted by her colleagues, who stated they had not been aware of her involvement in the documentary. The new trial will now offer a chance to re-examine the case under strict judicial neutrality, with the world watching closely the outcome of Maradona’s legal saga in Argentina.