OLIVIER MARTINEZ GAINS PRIMARY PHYSICAL CUSTODY OF SON

A Los Angeles judge has awarded Olivier Martinez primary physical custody of Maceo, his son with Halle Berry. Berry had asked the judge to restore their previous arrangement, under which the parents shared physical custody equally, but the judge refused. Berry and Martinez continue to share legal custody, according to Berry’s representative. The judge also barred Berry from having overnight visits with Maceo.

Martinez alleged in court documents that Berry jumped on Maceo and choked him during an argument on 26 September. He said the argument began after Berry criticised Maceo for playing a game with virtual reality goggles. Berry denies the abuse allegation and has accused Martinez of making it up to escalate their custody dispute. Martinez sought a domestic violence restraining order covering himself and Maceo, but the judge dismissed his request. The nine-day hearing began on 19 October and included nearly four hours of testimony from Maceo.

Berry and Martinez separated in 2015 and finalised their divorce in 2023. Berry’s lawyer, Marina Beck, said she was “extremely pleased” that the judge had dissolved the restraining order and lifted temporary restrictions on Berry. “As we move forward, Halle is determined to continue to focus on the well-being and best interests of her family,” Beck said. Martinez’s lawyer called the custody decision a “huge victory”. The judge is expected to reconsider custody issues in November; Berry’s custody during holiday periods remains unrestricted.