Judge allows Halle Berry’s son to testify amid bitter custody dispute with Olivier Martinez

Martinez is seeking sole custody of their 13-year-old son, while Berry has raised concerns about the impact of the legal dispute on the teenager.

Halle Berry's custody battle with ex-husband Olivier Martinez has taken another turn after a judge ruled that their 13-year-old son, Maceo, will be allowed to testify in court.

According to People , the judge permitted Maceo to testify, but limited his testimony to Martinez's request for a restraining order. The ruling comes as the former couple continues to dispute allegations surrounding an incident at Berry's home on Sept. 26.

Martinez has accused Berry of physically abusing their son during an argument, alleging that she put her hands around Maceo's neck and choked him while he was playing a virtual reality video game. Berry has denied the allegations.

The Oscar-winning actress has opposed allowing Maceo to testify, arguing that her former husband has been discussing the case with their son and could have influenced his account. In court filings, Berry described Maceo as a "coached and manipulated child" and questioned whether his testimony would reflect his own recollection of events.

Berry has also argued that the court should consider statements from other witnesses, including her fiancé, musician Van Hunt, and her daughter, Nahla Ariela Aubry, who is 18. Berry has maintained that she did not abuse her son.

Martinez, meanwhile, has argued that Maceo should have the opportunity to speak directly to the court about what he experienced. In a filing cited by People, Martinez wrote that his son "should have the opportunity to have his voice heard regarding what he experienced that night."

He also expressed concern that preventing Maceo from testifying could discourage him from reporting problems or potential abuse in the future.

The dispute has also affected the family's custody arrangements. Martinez is seeking sole custody and a restraining order, while Berry's visitation has been temporarily restricted under an earlier court order. The case remains ongoing as the court considers the allegations and the competing requests.

Berry and Martinez married in 2013 and finalized their divorce in 2023. They previously shared custody of Maceo.