• An Argentine court declared a mistrial in the negligence case against Diego Maradona's medical team.
• The decision followed the resignation of Judge Julieta Makintach over her involvement in a documentary.
• Maradona's medical team faced allegations of negligent homicide related to his 2020 death.
• The trial had already featured testimonies from over 40 witnesses before its annulment.
• A new trial will reset all proceedings, with judges to be selected by lottery.

On Thursday, an Argentine court declared a mistrial in the case against seven health professionals accused of negligence in the death of football legend Diego Maradona. This decision came after Judge Julieta Makintach resigned following accusations of ethical breaches involving her participation in the documentary "Divine Justice," which included unauthorized footage from the courtroom, sparking significant controversy within the legal proceedings, according to CBS News and Al Jazeera.

The case had been ongoing since March, with extensive media coverage and witness testimonies, but with the mistrial declared, a new trial will have to start from scratch. Judge Maximiliano Savarino, addressing the court's decision, noted that the conduct of Makintach had "caused prejudice" to the proceedings, illustrating the impact of her actions on both the defense and plaintiffs, as stated by NPR and Reuters.

Maradona, who passed away on November 25, 2020, was 60 years old at the time of his death, which followed complications from surgery for a brain clot. With his medical staff under investigation for failure to provide adequate care, they face significant charges including negligent homicide, carrying potential sentences of 8 to 25 years. The accusations stem from claims that Maradona was left in inadequate conditions during his recovery, as highlighted by the statements of his family members, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.

Totaling numerous witness accounts and emotional testimonies, the halted trial underscores the case's societal importance in Argentina, where Maradona is celebrated as a national hero. Without specifying when the new trial will begin, a lottery will determine the judges, further extending the timeline for resolution in this highly publicized legal battle, as documented by Le Monde and India Times.