Halle Berry’s ex claims son wants to testify in court as he reveals alleged photo evidence of abuse
Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence and abuse which some readers may find distressing.
Halle Berry's ex-partner, Olivier Martinez, has claimed their son wishes to testify in an upcoming custody hearing, stating the teenager fears that no one will believe his child abuse claim.
According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, Martinez claimed the former couple's 13-year-old son, Maceo, had requested to 'provide his side of the story' at an upcoming emergency custody hearing.
The hearing was called following an alleged child abuse incident which took place at Berry's home on 26 September, in which she is accused of placing the teenager in a headlock and choking him.
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The X-Men star has since denied the allegation, saying the pair were 'playfully roughhousing'.
“I am not a perpetrator of violence. I would never hurt our child," she said in response.
According to Berry's version of events, Maceo began filming her after she asked him to stop playing his game. She added that she did not put her hands around his neck, choke or restrain him.
In the latest documents submitted to the Los Angeles County Court, Martinez claimed Maceo's testimony was 'key' to the court understanding what happened on 26 September.
"He should have the opportunity to have his voice heard regarding what he experienced that night," he wrote.
"If he is prevented from addressing the Court regarding these allegations, I fear that he would be dissuaded from reporting problems or potential abuse in the future."
"I am the parent who wants the truth to come out. I am the parent who does not want to suppress Maceo’s voice," Martinez continued.
"To the extent that Petitioner attempts to prevent our son from speaking with a Judge regarding what happened, I fear this is an attempt to escape culpability for what occurred."
The 60-year-old actor also claimed that Maceo had expressed concern that his version of events would not be believed over his mother's, writing that previous therapists had 'downplay[ed] or dismiss[ed]' his complaints.
"He already feels that people are prone to take dismiss any concerns he has about Petitioner," he added.
Alongside the written claim, Martinez also submitted photographs of Maceo, which are said to have been taken on the night of the alleged abuse.
The claims come nearly two weeks after Martinez filed for sole custody of their son, alleging that he's been physically abused by Berry.
In response to the claims, Berry's attorney Marina Beck described the lawsuit as 'entirely meritless and deliberately misleading'.
"To say this filing is entirely meritless and deliberately misleading would be an understatement," Beck said in a statement issued to PEOPLE. "Fortunately, Halle is used to this kind of outrageous conduct from Mr. Martinez and, while she is deeply saddened, she will not allow it to deter her from fighting for Maceo’s best interests and providing him with the love and support he needs."
Berry's daughter has also spoken out in support of her mother, claiming that she has never seen the actor 'slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way'.
“I never observed anything abusive about her parenting," Nahla wrote in a Los Angeles Superior Court declaration also obtained by PEOPLE.
LADbible Group has approached a representative of Halle Berry for comment.
Topics: US News, Celebrity, Celebrity News
Brenna Cooper