Updated October 15, 2026 | By Shivam Das
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has reportedly allowed Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez’s 13-year-old son, Maceo, to testify in their ongoing custody dispute. Reports citing court documents say his testimony is limited to Martinez’s request for a domestic-violence restraining order and will be heard in a closed courtroom, with only the parties, their lawyers and court personnel present.
Quick answer: The judge has permitted testimony on a limited issue behind closed doors. The decision does not establish that either parent’s allegations are true. Martinez has made allegations against Berry, and Berry denies harming their son.
What did the judge specifically allow?
PEOPLE, Entertainment Weekly and Page Six reported on October 14–15 that the judge approved Maceo’s testimony but narrowed its scope to Martinez’s restraining-order request. The closed-court arrangement is a procedural safeguard for a sensitive family matter involving a minor. It is not a finding that the claims made by either parent have been proven.
That distinction is important: permission to testify determines what information a judge may hear; it does not decide what the evidence ultimately establishes. The details available publicly come through media reports and descriptions of court filings, rather than an open courtroom transcript.
What are the allegations, and what has Berry said?
Martinez has alleged that an incident at Berry’s home on September 26 involved physical contact with their son, including a claim that she put her hands around his neck. Berry has denied harming the child. Reporting on her court position says she disputes Martinez’s account and has raised concerns that their son may have been influenced while in his father’s care.
These are contested claims in an active family-court dispute. They should not be described as established facts unless and until a court makes findings. The judge’s decision to hear testimony does not resolve the conflicting accounts.
Why is the hearing closed to the public?
Family-court proceedings can involve sensitive information about children. Reports say the judge limited attendance to the parties, their attorneys and court personnel. That restriction means readers should be skeptical of social posts claiming to show the testimony or offering supposedly complete accounts of what was said behind closed doors.
A closed hearing does not signal that the court has accepted either parent’s version. It limits who can attend while the judge considers information relevant to the restraining-order request.
What happens next?
Media reports said another court appearance was expected on Friday, October 16, 2026. The next confirmed court action may clarify how the restraining-order request and related custody issues proceed. Schedules can change, so later updates should be checked against reliable reporting.
For readers following this case, the most useful distinction is between a party’s claim, a response filed by the other side, and a finding made by the judge. Viral captions, cropped photographs and anonymous posts can omit context and should not be treated as proof.
Key facts at a glance
- Decision: The judge reportedly permitted Maceo to testify.
- Scope: Testimony is limited to Martinez’s restraining-order request.
- Privacy: Reports say the hearing will be closed to the general public.
- Disputed claims: Martinez has made allegations; Berry denies them. The testimony ruling does not prove either account.
- Next reported date: October 16, 2026, subject to court scheduling and further updates.
Frequently asked questions
Will Halle Berry’s son testify in open court?
No. Reports say the judge ordered testimony in a closed courtroom, with attendance limited to the parties, their lawyers and court personnel.
What is the testimony about?
It is limited to the domestic-violence restraining-order request filed by Olivier Martinez, according to reports citing court documents.
Has the court found that Halle Berry abused her son?
The reported decision allowing testimony is not a finding that the allegations are true. Berry denies the accusations, and the matter remains disputed.
Why did Berry oppose the testimony?
Reports say Berry argued that her son could be influenced or coached and that testifying could add pressure during a difficult family dispute. That is her position, not an established finding.
When is the next hearing?
Media reports said another court appearance was expected on October 16, 2026. Check subsequent reporting for schedule changes or new rulings.
Sources and further reading
- PEOPLE: Reporting on the judge’s ruling
- Entertainment Weekly: Court testimony and custody dispute
- Los Angeles Times: Berry’s response to the allegations
- TMZ: Report on the testimony ruling
Editorial note: This article summarizes publicly reported claims and court developments. Allegations are attributed to the parties; no claim should be read as a finding of fact unless the court establishes it.
