Olivier Martinez defends abuse claims against Halle Berry in court showdown

Olivier Martinez doubled down on accusations that his ex-wife, Halle Berry, subjected him to abuse over the course of their relationship during a tense cross-examination at Los Angeles Superior Court. The proceedings mark the fourth consecutive day of a custody dispute and domestic violence restraining order hearing between the former couple.

During the court session, Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, grilled the 60-year-old French actor regarding allegations that Berry had abused him dating back a decade. When asked if he was alleging that the actress committed acts of abuse against him over that timeframe, Martinez replied affirmatively and also referenced statements Berry allegedly made to their 13-year-old son, Maceo, in 2023.

Beck then presented Martinez with a legal declaration he signed under penalty of perjury on September 30, 2024. The attorney read a section from the document stating there was no history of domestic violence between the parties and asked if that statement was true when made. The exchange highlighted an inconsistency between his previous paperwork and current allegations.

However, Martinez’s attorney, Patrick Baghdaserians, explained to reporters that the earlier declaration was tied to a financial request for need-based attorney fees rather than a custody dispute. Baghdaserians noted that no domestic violence conviction or restraining order had been entered at that time, making the prior statement accurate in that context.

The court appearance followed closed-door testimony from Berry earlier in the day, after which the courtroom was cleared to discuss confidential matters regarding their teenage son. Earlier in the week, Maceo spent nearly four hours on the witness stand. Martinez previously accused Berry of choking their son during an altercation at her home, claiming the incident formed part of a broader pattern of emotional distress.

Court filings included text messages where the teenager allegedly asked his father to pick him up privately. Earlier this month, a judge granted Martinez a temporary domestic violence restraining order granting him primary custody of Maceo and restricting Berry's time with him while the case moves forward.

Berry has vehemently denied the allegations through her legal representation, calling the claims entirely meritless and deliberately misleading. Her legal team accused Martinez of interfering with their son and asked the court to dismiss the restraining order request, lift temporary contact restrictions, and restore a 50-50 physical custody arrangement alongside sole legal custody. Additionally, Berry’s 18-year-old daughter, Nahla Aubry, submitted a declaration stating she had never witnessed Berry abuse her younger brother.

The pair married in July 2013, welcomed Maceo later that year, and separated in October 2015. Although divorce and custody matters extended for years, they reached a settlement in August 2023 agreeing to joint custody before the current legal battle emerged.

The custody and restraining order proceedings remain ongoing as the Los Angeles Superior Court evaluates testimony and evidence from both legal teams.