The trial of those allegedly responsible for the death of Diego Armando Maradona has been canceled due to a scandal involving a judge. The controversy surrounds Judge Julieta Makintach, whose involvement in a documentary about the case, made without judicial consent or the knowledge of the Maradona family, led to her removal from the proceedings.

Days after the scandal broke, Judge Maximiliano Savarino, head of Criminal Oral Court No. 3 of San Isidro, officially declared the trial null and void. He confirmed that it was canceled and that it must now return to page 0.

Savarino stated that Makintach‘s documentary created “multiple discussions in the intermediate rooms and with witnesses and lawyers,” making it best to halt the trial, despite the “ungrateful” nature of the decision.

Judge Verónica Di Tommasso, also of the Court, concurred with the decisions to remove Julieta Makintach and cancel the trial. In announcing the latter, she paraphrased maradona, saying: “Someone was wrong and paid, but justice is not stained.”

Savarino explained his decision by stating: “Dr.Makintach intervened impartially in the development of the debate. I want to remind you that both individuals and the accused who have the right to be read by an impartial court. Dr. Di Tommaso and who speaks to them, Maximiliano Savarino, we fulfill that judicial guarantee.”

The case will now be assigned to a new court, and the trial will begin again from scratch. This effectively discards two months of proceedings aimed at seeking justice for Maradona‘s death.

The Accused in Diego Maradona’s Death

Seven individuals face charges related to Diego Maradona‘s death:

• Leopoldo luque (neurosurgeon and Maradona personal doctor): Accused of bearing the greatest duty for Maradona‘s declining health. He was in daily contact with Diego and performed surgery for a cerebral edema a month before his death. Some believe the surgery was unneeded and triggered his final decline.
• Agustina Cosachov (psychiatrist): Approved Maradona‘s premature discharge from the Olivos Clinic after his surgery and prescribed his medication. She also faces a separate charge of falsifying Maradona‘s signature on physical aptitude certificates.
• Ricardo Almirón (Nurse): Attended to Maradona‘s needs at his home in disco Luján.In 2022, he faced unrelated charges of sexual abuse.
• Nancy Forlini (Medical Coordinator): Hired by Maradona‘s prepaid health service, she managed his home care and oversaw his daily health decisions. She testified against Cosachov and Luque, claiming they prevented other professionals from intervening in Maradona‘s health decisions.
• Mariano Perroni (Chief of nurses): the nursing coordinator who received information from nurses under his supervision. He stated that Diego‘s home was unsuitable for recovery but took no action to change it. He accused Cosachov and Luque of ordering staff “not to bother and invade” Maradona.
• Carlos Díaz (psychologist): Associated with Matías Morla,he treated Maradona for addictions and mental illnesses. He denies responsibility for Maradona‘s death, claiming his treatment was progressing well, though audios of Luque and Cosachov suggest otherwise.
• Pedro di Spagna (clinical physician): Responsible for daily monitoring of Maradona‘s home hospitalization but allegedly only visited him once in his final month, hindering necessary check-ups.

“someone was wrong and paid, but justice is not stained.”

Along with these seven,Nurse Gisella Dahiana Madrid will be tried separately in the second half of 2025. She was present at Maradona‘s home and discovered him without vital signs, attempting resuscitation without success. Her trial will be conducted by jurors after the conclusion of the initial trial.