Olivier Martinez reportedly stormed out of a Los Angeles courtroom Tuesday as his custody battle with ex-wife Halle Berry intensified over allegations involving their 13-year-old son, Maceo.
The 60-year-old French actor appeared visibly agitated when he exited Los Angeles County Superior Court on October 20 alongside his attorney, Patrick Baghdaserians. Martinez was reportedly overheard using profanity during an animated discussion with his lawyer about testimony presented during the hearing.
The two walked toward a restroom before returning to the courtroom approximately five minutes later. Although witnesses described the exchange as heated, the report did not establish exactly what Martinez said or whether the profanity was directed at Baghdaserians.
However, another account challenges the suggestion that Martinez stormed out in anger.
On Wednesday, October 21, Extra reported that a source familiar with the situation disputed the characterization of Martinez’s exit, calling the story a “total misrepresentation.”
According to the insider, Martinez and his attorney were simply taking a brief restroom break and had approximately five minutes to do so.
The conflicting accounts emerged during the second day of testimony in the former couple’s legal dispute over Maceo. Martinez is seeking sole legal and physical custody after accusing Berry of physically abusing their son during a September 26 confrontation.
Berry has denied the allegations and is fighting to restore the previous arrangement that allowed both parents to share custody equally.
The allegations center on an incident involving Maceo and a virtual reality headset at Berry’s home. Martinez alleges that Berry became physically aggressive with their son and choked him during the confrontation.
He also claims the September incident was part of a broader pattern of inappropriate behavior. Berry disputes those accusations and maintains that she has never physically abused Maceo.
In her court filings, Berry described the encounter as playful roughhousing that escalated after Maceo became upset. She claims her fiancé, musician Van Hunt, intervened during the disagreement and that evidence contradicts Martinez’s description of what occurred.
Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, previously dismissed Martinez’s allegations as “entirely meritless and deliberately misleading.”
The accusations prompted Martinez to seek emergency court intervention earlier this month. On October 1, a Los Angeles judge granted a temporary restraining order covering Martinez and Maceo, according to court records.
The order temporarily restricted Berry’s parenting schedule but did not completely prohibit contact with her son. The judge also declined a request to impose sobriety monitoring, citing insufficient information.
Berry subsequently requested that the court reinstate the former couple’s 50/50 custody arrangement. She has also accused Martinez of interfering with Maceo’s education, therapy, and relationship with his mother. Those allegations remain disputed.
The courtroom proceedings have involved testimony from several family members, including Maceo himself.
On Monday, October 19, the teenager testified for nearly four hours behind closed doors. Judge Shelley Kaufman cleared the courtroom to protect his privacy, and his testimony remains sealed.
Before the hearing, Martinez argued that Maceo deserved an opportunity to explain what happened during the September confrontation. Berry objected to having her son testify, expressing concerns that Martinez had influenced him while he was primarily staying in his father’s care.
The judge ultimately permitted Maceo to testify, limiting his testimony to the request for a restraining order.
The atmosphere between Berry and Martinez was reportedly tense even before Tuesday’s incident. Page Six described Monday’s proceedings as “icy,” with the former spouses reportedly exchanging hostile looks while maintaining their distance.
Berry also took the witness stand Tuesday to address the allegations against her. Jon Hay, a staff member at Maceo’s school who previously raised concerns about the teenager’s behavior, was expected to testify during the proceedings.
Berry’s 18-year-old daughter, Nahla Aubry, has also become involved in the legal dispute.
Nahla, whom Berry shares with former partner Gabriel Aubry, previously submitted a sworn declaration defending her mother against Martinez’s accusations.
“I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way,” Nahla stated.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Nahla also described Berry as a supportive parent who encouraged her children to maintain positive relationships with their fathers.
Martinez previously challenged Nahla’s involvement, arguing in court filings that she was biased and should not participate in proceedings concerning Maceo.
By Wednesday, Extra reported that Nahla and Van Hunt had also appeared on the witness stand. Berry returned to court that morning to continue her testimony.
Berry and Martinez married in 2013, separated in 2015, and finalized their divorce in 2023. Their previous custody agreement provided for shared parenting responsibilities, which Berry is now seeking to restore.
