The Argentine court handling the medical team’s trial related to the death of football icon Diego Maradona has postponed proceedings for a week due to concerns regarding the judge’s impartiality.
The suspension was ordered after defense attorneys claimed that the judge’s participation in a documentary about the case raised questions about her impartiality, as well as potential influence peddling and bribery.
Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari noted that the delay was necessary “to address a matter… of institutional gravity.”
Two defense attorneys requested that Judge Julieta Makintach be recused from the trial, which has been ongoing for two months.
A banner of Diego Maradona is visible as family members testified in court last week.
The prosecutor’s office will examine whether any rules were violated and what role, if any, Ms. Makintach played in the alleged misconduct.
Ms. Makintach acknowledged the concerns and expressed, “But I am confident in my impartiality,” adding that she would contemplate recusing herself from the case if doubts persisted.
The presiding judge, Maximiliano Savarino, announced that the trial is set to resume on 27 May.
‘Dark, lonely’ deathbed
Maradona passed away on 25 November 2020 at age 60, while recuperating at home from brain surgery for a blood clot, following a long battle with cocaine and alcohol addiction.
He died from heart failure and acute pulmonary edema just two weeks post-surgery.
Maradona was discovered deceased in bed by his daytime nurse.
The seven-member medical team is on trial in the Buenos Aires suburb of San Isidro, concerning the conditions of his recovery at a private residence in the nearby suburb of Tigre.
Prosecutors have labeled Maradona’s final care as grossly negligent.
If convicted of “homicide with possible intent”—acting in a manner known to potentially result in death—the defendants could face prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years.
The former Boca Juniors and Napoli star suffered from heart failure and acute pulmonary edema.
So far, the trial has concentrated on the decision made by Maradona’s doctors to permit him to recover at home with little oversight and limited medical equipment, instead of in a healthcare facility.
During court testimony last week, Maradona’s daughter, Gianinna, accused her father’s caregivers of confining him in “a dark, ugly, and lonely” environment, suggesting that their priority seemed to be financial gain rather than his well-being.
To date, only one of the accused, Maradona’s psychiatrist, has taken the stand.
The passing of the 1986 World Cup star plunged Argentina into mourning amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
Countless individuals queued to pay their respects to the former Boca Juniors and Napoli striker as his body lay in state at the presidential palace.
