Halle (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) October 22, 2026 – French actor Olivier Martinez and his legal team have publicly clarified that a brief departure from a Los Angeles courtroom was merely a short, judge-approved bathroom break. The clarification directly refutes media reports claiming Martinez had stormed out of the ongoing custody proceedings concerning his 13-year-old son with ex-wife Halle Berry. The court hearing forms part of a broader, high-profile legal conflict over custodial rights, school arrangements, and protective orders involving both parents.
Legal Representative Refutes Allegations of Agitated Exit From Courtroom
A spokesperson for French actor Olivier Martinez has dismissed claims that the 60-year-old actor left a ongoing family court hearing in anger or frustration. Reports emerged from media observers alleging that Martinez had abruptly “stormed out” of the Los Angeles courtroom looking agitated while evidence was being presented.
However, Martinez’s attorney, Patrick Baghdaserians, clarified to news outlets that the departure was an ordinary pause in proceedings. According to Baghdaserians, Martinez and his legal representatives explicitly requested a short break from the presiding judge, who granted a three-minute recess specifically to use the restroom facilities.
Baghdaserians further stated that Martinez was entirely satisfied with how the court proceedings were developing and had no reason to exit out of frustration. Following the short interval, Martinez returned to the courtroom to complete the day’s scheduled session.
Overview of the Ongoing Custody Dispute and Background Allegations
The courtroom scene occurred as part of an increasingly complex legal conflict between Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez regarding their 13-year-old son, Maceo. The pair, who met on the set of the film Dark Tide in 2010, were married in July 2013 and subsequently separated in October 2015. Although declared legally single in December 2016, their divorce settlement was officially completed in August 2023.
The legal confrontation intensified significantly on 1 October 2026, when a Los Angeles County judge granted Martinez a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Berry on behalf of himself and their minor son. In court documents filed to support his petition, Martinez claimed an altercation occurred between Berry and the child.
In his court filings, Martinez alleged that Berry engaged in physical and emotional abuse. The temporary order placed restrictions on Berry’s overnight custody and visitation hours while granting Martinez primary physical custody pending full judicial evaluation.
Berry has forcefully denied all allegations of abuse or misconduct, describing the assertions as completely meritless, unfounded, and intended to gain an unfair advantage in co-parenting negotiations. In her own court response, Berry stated that she was completely blindsided by Martinez’s filings, explaining that the event in question involved minor roughhousing after her son took her phone, rather than any intentional physical violence.
Witness Testimony and Courtroom Statements Presented to the Judge
The multiday hearing in Los Angeles featured witness testimony from multiple parties connected to the family. The court permitted 13-year-old Maceo to participate in a closed-door hearing to share his perspective directly with the judge.
In addition to the minor child, several other witnesses were called to testify:
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John Hay: The principal of the minor’s school provided a statement regarding academic performance and attendance.
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Halle Berry: The Oscar-winning actress took the stand over multiple days to deliver testimony regarding her parenting, her home environment, and her relationship with her son.
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Olivier Martinez: The French actor delivered testimony towards the end of the recent hearing, outlining his petition for full physical and legal custody.
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Van Hunt: Berry’s partner was called by her defense team to testify regarding household dynamics and daily routines.
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Nahla Aubry: Berry’s 18-year-old daughter was scheduled to appear virtually to present a statement in support of her mother. In previously submitted written filings, Aubry stated that she had never witnessed Berry display violent behavior in the household.
