A Los Angeles judge has dissolved the temporary restraining order against Halle Berry in her ex-husband’s domestic violence case.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Shelley Kaufman ruled Thursday to toss out Olivier Martinez’s request for a domestic violence restraining order protecting himself and their 13-year-old son, Maceo, lifting the temporary restrictions that had been imposed on the actress since October 1. The decision came after nearly four hours of sealed testimony from the teen on the first day of the hearing, October 19, followed by testimony from both Berry and Martinez on October 20.
“We are extremely pleased that the Court has dissolved the TRO,” Berry’s attorney, Marina Beck, said exclusively. “As we move forward, Halle is determined to continue to focus on the well-being and best interests of her family.”
The ruling marks a significant turn in the contentious custody battle between Berry, 60, and Martinez, 60, who were married from July 2013 until their separation two years later. The former couple, declared legally single in December 2016, did not finalize their divorce until August 2023.
Martinez had accused Berry of physically abusing Maceo, including allegations that she choked him during a September 26 altercation, in his request for the domestic violence restraining order. He also sought sole legal and physical custody of the teenager. Kaufman granted the temporary protective order at the start of October, putting immediate restrictions on Berry while the case proceeded.
Berry has consistently denied the allegations detailed in Martinez’s filing. Her 18-year-old daughter, Nahla Aubry, previously defended her mother in a court declaration, stating she was “shocked” by the accusations and had never witnessed her behave aggressively toward her half-brother. Nahla also testified in a closed courtroom during the October proceedings.
“There is voluminous evidence, including numerous judicial rulings, that Olivier Martinez repeatedly violated court orders and interfered with necessary therapeutic and educational interventions to the detriment of his and Halle Berry’s minor son, Maceo — misconduct for which Mr. Martinez has already been legally sanctioned,” Beck had previously stated.
Berry had asked the judge to deny Martinez’s restraining order request and lift the temporary restrictions, accusing the French actor of escalating their custody dispute and interfering with their son’s educational and therapeutic needs. She sought sole legal custody of Maceo, which would give her greater authority over decisions involving his health, education and welfare, while proposing that the former couple continue an alternating-week living arrangement. Additionally, she asked to expand her existing tie-breaking authority to cover decisions involving the teen’s health, education and welfare.
The October 20 session saw Martinez storm out of the courtroom and use profanity as he appeared agitated and upset by whatever was being discussed behind closed doors. Both parents had testified before the judge reached her Thursday decision.
Despite the dissolution of the restraining order, the former couple’s custody arrangement from the previously granted temporary restraining order will remain in place until the matter is addressed at a future hearing.
Berry’s attorney characterized Martinez’s legal approach as a “witch hunt” amid the dispute over an Instagram post that had been dragged into the custody battle, though Berry later denied posting any shady quote about parenting.