Martinez Left Hearing During Custody Dispute With Berry, Denies Storming Out

WHO:

TMZ - Olivier Martinez and Halle Berry are involved in a domestic-violence and custody dispute concerning their son.

TMZ - Martinez’s attorney is Patrick Baghdaserians.

Complex - Martinez and Berry are both 60; their son, Maceo, is 13.

Complex - Berry’s 18-year-old daughter, Nahla Aubry, is expected to testify.

Complex - Other named people involved include Judge Shelley Kaufman, Berry’s attorney Marina Beck, musician Van Hunt, and school staff member Jon Hay.

WHAT:

TMZ - Martinez’s attorney denied that Martinez angrily stormed out of the hearing; the article says Martinez did have to leave.

Complex - Martinez reportedly left a Los Angeles courtroom with Baghdaserians during testimony and was heard cursing in an animated discussion with his attorney. They went toward a restroom and returned about five minutes later; it was unclear what Martinez said or whether the profanity was directed at his lawyer.

Complex - Maceo testified for nearly four hours behind closed doors. Berry also testified behind closed doors about allegations that she abused Maceo.

Complex - Martinez alleges Berry choked Maceo and is seeking sole legal and physical custody. Berry denies abusing him, seeks to lift temporary restrictions, and wants their previous 50-50 custody arrangement restored.

Complex - Berry’s attorney called Martinez’s accusations “entirely meritless and deliberately misleading.” Berry says the incident involved roughhousing, not an assault.

Complex - Berry has accused Martinez of interfering with Maceo’s educational and therapeutic needs and trying to turn their son against her.

WHERE:

Complex - The hearing took place at Los Angeles County Superior Court.

WHEN:

Complex - Nahla was expected to testify later that week, and Martinez was scheduled to testify.

WHY:

Complex - The custody dispute stems from Martinez’s allegation that Berry choked Maceo during a confrontation involving a virtual-reality headset; Martinez says Berry became physically aggressive while Van Hunt was present.

HOW:

Complex - Martinez obtained a temporary restraining order, leading to restrictions on Berry’s contact with Maceo.

Complex - Judge Kaufman cleared the courtroom for Maceo’s testimony and kept it sealed.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 11:10 UTC)

A custody dispute between Olivier Martinez and Halle Berry intensified during a hearing at Los Angeles County Superior Court, where both testified behind closed doors. Their 13-year-old son, Maceo, also gave nearly four hours of sealed testimony. Martinez alleges Berry choked their son during a confrontation involving a virtual-reality headset, and says musician Van Hunt was present. Berry denies abuse, describing the incident as roughhousing. Martinez obtained a temporary restraining order that restricted Berry’s contact with Maceo, and is seeking sole legal and physical custody. Berry wants those restrictions lifted and their former shared-custody arrangement restored. Her attorney called Martinez’s claims meritless and misleading, while Berry has accused him of interfering with their son’s education and therapy. Martinez’s lawyer denied he angrily stormed out of court, though Martinez did leave during testimony and returned with his attorney minutes later. Berry’s daughter, Nahla, is expected to testify.