Halle Berry is asking the court to prevent her 13-year-old son, Maceo, from testifying in the ongoing custody dispute between the actress and her former husband, Olivier Martinez.
The latest clash stems from a September 26 incident at Berry’s home. Martinez claims Berry choked their son during an argument involving a virtual reality game, allegations that led him to pursue sole custody and a restraining order.
Court documents obtained by TMZ state that Berry believes Martinez has spent weeks discussing the case with Maceo and preparing him to take the witness stand. She says those conversations violate a 2024 court order barring both parents from involving their son in their legal disputes.
Berry is seeking an order directing Martinez to stop discussing the proceedings with Maceo. She argues that such discussions could affect his testimony and says appearing in court could subject him to unnecessary emotional strain.
The actress also contends that the judge has sufficient evidence to evaluate the incident without requiring Maceo to testify. That evidence includes video footage and testimony from Berry’s fiancé, Van Hunt, who was present at the time.
Martinez disagrees, maintaining that Maceo wants to explain to the judge what happened and express his wishes concerning custody.
CHECK THIS OUT: Study Finds Global Warming Outpaced El Niño in Fueling Hurricane Polo
“He should have the opportunity to have his voice heard regarding what he experienced that night,” Martinez wrote in his declaration.
Berry has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying the incident involved playful roughhousing and insisting that she never harmed her son.
“I have never physically, emotionally, or otherwise abused Maceo,” she said in an earlier court filing. “I would never hurt our child.”
Berry’s 18-year-old daughter, Nahla Aubry, has also filed a declaration supporting her mother. Nahla described Berry as a loving, attentive parent and said she had never seen her act abusively toward either child.
On October 1, a judge issued Martinez a temporary restraining order that sharply limited Berry’s parenting time with Maceo. Berry has since asked the court to reinstate their former 50/50 custody arrangement.
Berry and Martinez are scheduled to appear in court again on Friday, October 16.