THE homicide trial of footballing icon Diego Maradona’s medical team has officially been cancelled.
The trial was said to be on the brink of collapse just 24 hours ago after a glam judge appeared in a glitzy documentary about the ongoing case.
Julieta Makintach – dubbed the “judge of God” – featured in a trailer for the six-part mini-series which was embarrassingly played to the court.
News broadcasts of footy legend Maradona’s death were also featured in the trailer, as well as an excerpt of an emergency call asking for an ambulance.
It ended with Makintach preparing documents at a desk prior to the trial.
The bizarre footage suggests unauthorised recordings were shot inside the courtroom, which constitutes a breach of judicial rules.
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It is unclear how the footage was captured.
The trailer preview was one of several pieces of evidence seized by cops in raids last week which left the trial suspended.
It has now reportedly been designated as “null and void” by the Third Criminal Court of San Isidro, reports Clarin.
Judge Makintach has also since resigned in the face of the allegations.
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This has left the case with just two remaining judges in Maximiliano Savarino and Verónica Di Tommaso.
Mr Savarino announced the cancelled trial today as he blasted Makintach’s actions.
He said: “The trial was well conducted by all of us except for one person who was sidelined.”
Before adding: We believe the case should be heard in another court.”
When the decision to cancel the trial was read out, the daughters of Maradona, Dalma and Gianinna, broke down in tears.
The trailer caused such a national outcry that Makintach said on Tuesday that she had “no choice” but to resign from the proceedings.
The judges stated that there would be a new trial, but did not indicate when that would occur. In addition, new judges will selected via a lottery.
The trial began on March 11 and dozens of witnesses had already testified. It was expected to conclude in the summer, but now that could be a new starting point.
“I trust we could have a sentence by the end of the year,” said Fernando Burlando, an attorney for Maradona’s daughters Dalma and Gianinna Maradona.
The family accused the medical team of failing to provide appropriate care for Maradona, 60, after his surgery for a hematoma that formed between his skull and brain.
The surgery was performed in early November and he died weeks later during his recovery at a private home.
The seven defendants all deny the charges and claim that Maradona fought against them during the recovery period.
The Argentinian legend- considered one of the world’s greatest ever football players – had been recovering at his home in Buenos Aires from surgery on a brain blood clot when he tragically died.
He suffered a heart attack aged 60.
Seven members of the legend’s medical team were then placed under investigation over his death and are now being prosecuted for negligent homicide.
Those responsible for his medical care face prison terms between eight and 25 years if convicted of homicide with possible intent.
The charges relate to their decision to allow him to recover from major surgery at home, and the conditions of his care.
They deny the charges.
The medical team on trial includes a neurosurgeon, a doctor and a night nurse.
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The defendants have claimed Maradona refused any further treatment and should have stayed home for longer following his operation.
Gianinna claimed her father was kept in “a dark, ugly and lonely” place and that his carers were more interested in money than his welfare.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
