A judge has granted a restraining order against actress Halle Berry following allegations from her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez. Martinez accuses Berry of attacking their 12-year-old son, Maceo, and placing him in a chokehold, escalating a history of alleged abuse.
Allegations and Legal Proceedings
Martinez claims that Maceo called him late on a Saturday night, reporting that Berry had physically attacked him. According to court documents, Martinez alleges that Berry, trained in mixed martial arts, often puts Maceo in a chokehold.
Judge Shelley Kaufman has issued a temporary order allowing Berry only unsupervised daytime visits with Maceo. The court has not yet determined the truth of these allegations.
Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, labeled the accusations as unfounded and misleading, emphasizing Berry’s commitment to her son’s well-being.
Incident Overview
Martinez recounts that on the night in question, Berry’s partner assisted Maceo in leaving her house. Martinez observed that Maceo remained silent and distressed during their drive home, later explaining the events.
Maceo described playing with a VR headset before Berry allegedly turned aggressive after he asked her to let him finish the game. The situation reportedly escalated when Berry put Maceo in a chokehold, demanding to know “who is dominant now.”
Text Message Exchanges
Text messages between Berry and Martinez reveal her requesting to speak with Maceo after the incident. Berry expressed regret over the previous night’s events.
Martinez also reports a previous warning from Maceo, declaring, “The next time she does that, I’m going to kick her ass,” indicating longstanding tension.
Accusations of Persistent Abuse
Martinez accuses Berry of ongoing abusive behavior. He mentions multiple incidents where Berry allegedly slapped and choked Maceo, leaving him in distress.
He fears for Maceo’s safety, noting that Berry’s actions could lead to serious injury. Martinez recalls violent episodes during their relationship, including property damage.
Additional allegations suggest verbal and emotional abuse, with Berry reportedly making derogatory remarks about Martinez to Maceo.
Details of the Restraining Order
The restraining order aims to protect both Martinez and Maceo, prohibiting Berry from threatening or assaulting them. It forbids overnight visits but allows unsupervised daytime contact.
Martinez’s request for Berry to undergo alcohol and substance testing during visits was denied. The temporary order remains effective until the upcoming court hearing on October 16.
Timeline of Their Legal Battles
The couple’s legal disputes began with divorce filings in October 2015. Their marriage legally ended in December 2016, yet disagreements over custody, child support, and legal fees prolonged the process.
In August 2023, they finalized terms, including shared custody and child support arrangements. Tensions resurfaced in mid-2024, prompting further court involvement.
Martinez discontinued co-parenting therapy, which led Berry to request court enforcement. Allegations of noncompliance and miscommunication prolonged their disputes.
By November 2024, a judge criticized Martinez’s resistance to co-parenting therapy and ruled in favor of Berry, noting avoidable legal expenses due to delays.