Halle Berry’s 13-year-old son, Maceo, spent nearly four hours testifying in court as his famous parents battle over allegations that the actress physically abused him.
Berry, 60, appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, Oct. 19, alongside her fiancé, Van Hunt, and her attorneys. Her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez, 60, arrived separately with Maceo.
According to Page Six, the atmosphere was “icy,” with the former spouses exchanging looks but avoiding direct interaction.
Judge Shelley Kaufman cleared the courtroom before Maceo took the stand, keeping his testimony private.
The hearing follows Martinez’s allegations that Berry choked their son during a Sept. 26 argument over virtual reality goggles. He also accused her of calling the teenager “such an idiot” and claimed there had been other abusive incidents.
Martinez obtained temporary protection on Oct. 1 and is seeking sole legal and physical custody.
Berry has strongly denied the accusations and wants the court to restore their previous 50-50 custody arrangement.
Her daughter, Nahla Aubry, 18, also defended her mother in a court declaration, saying she was “shocked” by the allegations and had never witnessed Berry behaving aggressively toward Maceo.
Berry has accused Martinez of worsening their custody dispute and interfering with their son’s educational and therapeutic needs.
“Olivier is a great, loving father,” Martinez’s attorney, Patrick Baghdaserians, told Page Six.
The hearing was scheduled to continue on Tuesday, Oct. 20.