Judge Julieta Makintach testified on Thursday in the La Plata jury, accused of starring in a documentary that annulled the trial over Diego Maradona's death. She admitted mistakes but denied seeking notoriety and blamed colleagues for not warning her. The process could extend to five hearings and determine her dismissal.
The jury against Judge Julieta Makintach began on Thursday in the basement of the Annex to the Chamber of Senators in La Plata, presided over by Hilda Kogan of the Supreme Court of Buenos Aires. The magistrate, charged with passive bribery, violation of public official duties, abuse of authority, misappropriation of public funds, and embezzlement of services, faces possible dismissal for her role in the documentary 'Justicia Divina', filmed during the trial for Diego Maradona's death and which caused its annulment.
Makintach, former head of the TOC No. 2 in San Isidro, exercised her right not to answer questions but offered a self-criticism. 'It was a stone I stumbled over without gauging the consequences', she said, using a metaphor to describe her involvement. She admitted: 'I never imagined causing so much damage to Justice' and 'I wish I could turn back time. I swear on my children that I don't know the producer'. She denied seeking fame, attributing the idea to her childhood friend María Lía Vidal, who acted as scriptwriter, and lamented the 'media lynching'. She reported putting her resignation at the disposal of Governor Axel Kicillof.
In her testimony, she blamed colleagues: 'I would have loved for them to warn me. I wish someone had come to tell me "you're putting the trial at risk"'. She consulted about the camera on the first day of the trial and received approval: 'I consulted and they told me it was a brilliant idea'. Prosecutor Patricio Ferrari recounted that Makintach opposed postponing the trial, insisting on swift justice, and that the filming team was not accredited. Officer Mailén Itatí Romero confirmed the judge warned about 'two friends' who entered and discussed the recording in her office.
Cameraman Jorge Ignacio Huarte complicated her defense: 'They asked me for images of the judge, because this was a documentary about her'. Producer José Arnal stated that Makintach knew and approved the project. 69 witnesses were cited, including Dalma and Giannina Maradona. During the hearing, the trailer for 'Justicia Divina' was shown, jeopardizing her career. The Maradona trial will resume next year.