Giannina Maradona on learning there was a covert doc of her fathers death trial: I wanted to die

Gianinna Maradona, daughter of Argentine football superstar Diego Maradona, was in court on Wednesday to testify against Julieta Makintach, the judge who was dismissed from her father’s death trial after being accused of filming a covert documentary of the proceedings.  “When I saw the footage, I couldn’t stop crying. It all seemed so unfair, unnecessary,” said Gianinna. “We were looking for my dad’s assassins, and what we were seeing in the documentary had nothing to do with that. It was a horror movie.” The youngest of Maradona’s two daughters with long-time wife Claudia Villafañe said their world “came apart” upon learning of the filming, as they quickly understood “everything would have to start again.” She added she had discussions with Makintach and “trusted her” when the judge told her they weren’t filming. “Once I saw it, and I saw how they had different chapters, how they talked about my dad, and the images they showed, I wanted to die,” Gianinna said. “He’s just a person who has died. Even if he was Diego Maradona, he was my dad and my son’s grandfather. I can’t believe there would be people who would brag about being linked to it.” The charges  The proceedings against Judge Makintach began on November 6 and are expected to last between several weeks and a few months. She stands accused of authorizing an outside team to record images during a trial without formal authorization, with the aim of producing a documentary miniseries about the judicial process investigating criminal responsibility in Maradona’s death. The indictment also alleges that Makintach violated the express prohibition on recording or filming hearings and that she interfered with the work of police personnel who attempted to prevent audiovisual recording inside the courtroom. She had even submitted her resignation, pending acceptance by Governor Axel Kicillof, but was then removed from office by the Buenos Aires Bicameral Commission for the Prosecution of Magistrates and Officials. If the accusations are confirmed, it could mean the end of Makintach’s judicial career. The defense The judge testified on the opening day, saying she regretted what happened and insisted she had no contact with the producing team. “I wish I could turn back the clock, but I swear it on my children, I never met the producers,” she said. “I never thought my impartiality as a judge would come into question.” She also insisted that she told all members of the court that there would be a camera in the room pointing at her and said that everyone agreed it was “a brilliant idea.” “I would’ve loved it if someone told me otherwise, if someone warned that I was putting the trial at risk,” she added. Court judge calls Makintach a liar Judge Maximiliano Savarino, who was part of the court that led the trial over Maradona’s death, said in his testimony on the third day of the trial that Makintach was “lying, manipulating, and tricking people the whole time.” Savarino also discussed a WhatsApp group the judges were part of, where Makintach allegedly disclosed the filming.  “I left it because of the things she was saying,” said the judge. “I felt pressured and fooled. The warning never existed.”