Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez are heading into another tense chapter of their custody dispute, after a Los Angeles judge ruled that their 13-year-old son, Maceo Martinez, can testify in a restraining order case involving his parents.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Shelley Kaufman approved the teenager’s testimony on Wednesday, limiting his evidence strictly to the request for a restraining order. The judge also made clear that Maceo must not be coached by either parent before taking the stand.
The ruling follows Martinez’s request for a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Berry. He has accused his ex-wife of physically abusing their son during an alleged incident on September 26, with reports including claims of choking. Berry has denied the allegations, and the disputed account has yet to be established in court.
Berry opposed the decision to involve Maceo in the proceedings, arguing that forcing him to testify could take a serious emotional toll. In court filings, she said the hearing risked putting their son in the middle of a conflict between his parents and potentially damaging his relationship with both of them.
The actress offered a different account of the September incident, claiming she had been attempting to enforce boundaries with Maceo. She also alleged that he had behaved physically aggressively towards her. Berry argued that video evidence and adult witnesses contradicted Martinez’s version of events.
Martinez, meanwhile, maintained that his son wanted the opportunity to speak directly to the court and feared he would not be believed over his mother. His attorney, Patrick Baghdaserians, told the Daily Mail that Martinez believed the court needed to hear all available evidence. He also argued that preventing Maceo from speaking could discourage children from reporting potential abuse.
Judge Kaufman reminded both parents that existing court orders remain in force, including restrictions on discussing custody matters and court filings with their son. The prohibition on coaching Maceo is also part of those safeguards.
Berry and Martinez married in 2013 and separated in 2016. Their latest legal battle adds another difficult turn to a co-parenting relationship that has repeatedly drawn attention. For now, the allegations remain contested, and the court’s decision to hear from their son does not determine whether either parent’s account is accurate.
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Last modified: October 15, 2026
