Halle Berry has suffered a setback in her ongoing legal dispute with ex-husband Olivier Martinez over their son, Maceo. A judge has ruled that the 13-year-old can testify at an upcoming hearing, despite Berry’s objections.
During a hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday (Oct. 14), Judge Shelley Kaufman addressed whether Maceo would be permitted to testify at an upcoming proceeding concerning Martinez’s request for a restraining order against Berry and the former couple’s ongoing custody dispute. The judge ultimately allowed the teenager to testify, but restricted the scope of his testimony.
Martinez filed for a restraining order on October 1, alleging that Berry “physically abused” Maceo during an incident the previous weekend by “jumping on him, putting her hands around his neck, and choking him.”
Martinez subsequently asked the court to allow Maceo to testify about the alleged incident during a hearing scheduled for Friday (Oct. 16). Berry opposed the request, expressing concerns that Martinez was coaching their son on what to say.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Judge Kaufman ruled that Maceo could testify on Friday, but clarified that his testimony would be “limited to the request for the issuance of a restraining order.” The judge added that any other questions concerning his testimony would be addressed “after the Restraining Order Hearing has concluded.”
The judge appeared to acknowledge Berry’s concerns, emphasizing that “The minor child shall not be coached.”
Maceo is set to testify in a closed courtroom, with attendance restricted to the parties involved, their attorneys, and court personnel.
Berry has denied Martinez’s allegations of abuse, insisting that she and Maceo were roughhousing rather than engaging in a fight. She has also completed a court-ordered parenting program as the legal proceedings continue.
Meanwhile, Berry’s 18-year-old daughter, Nahla, whom she shares with her former partner Gabriel Aubry, previously filed a sworn declaration defending her mother against Martinez’s allegations.
