A post on Halle Berry’s Instagram account led to a tense dispute in court Tuesday – with Olivier Martinez’s attorney accusing the actress of violating a temporary restraining order over an apparent shot at her ex-husband.
Patrick Baghdaserians, who represents the 60-year-old “Unfaithful” actor, asked Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Shelley Kaufman to reopen evidence so he could question Berry, 60, about the message that went live on her social media account Monday amid the former couple’s legal fight over their 13-year-old son, Maceo.
Marina Beck, Berry’s attorney, blasted the request – calling it a “last-minute grasp at straws, nothing more than a witch hunt.”
“They just intended to re-open evidence and continue their false narrative,” Beck argued, adding she believed the request was deliberately made in open court in front of reporters.
Baghdaserians pushed back – saying he did not care about the media presence and noting that the post had appeared on Berry’s own Instagram page immediately after evidence closed.
“This sort of conduct is the reason we are here today,” he argued, claiming the post was “disturbing my client’s peace, disturbing my client’s calm.”
Judge Kaufman denied the motion to reopen evidence.
The courtroom clash came a day after Berry’s account featured a pointed message: “If kids disrespect their moms, the root cause often traces back to the relationship with the father.” The post has since been deleted.
Following the ruling, the courtroom was cleared for closing arguments.
The court adjourned just before noon, and a decision in the nearly two-week hearing is expected Thursday.
The post appeared amid the actress’ increasingly contentious legal battle with Martinez, who is seeking sole custody of their son and a domestic violence restraining order against his ex-wife.
Martinez accused Berry of physically abusing Maceo during an alleged Sept. 26 incident at her home, claiming she put her hands around their son’s neck and choked him.
A judge granted Martinez a temporary restraining order on Oct. 1, along with temporary primary physical custody of Maceo and restrictions on Berry’s parenting time.
The order has since been extended while the court considers the allegations.
Berry has vehemently denied the allegations through her attorney, who previously told Page Six in a statement that Martinez’s filing is “entirely meritless and deliberately misleading.”
Berry has countered that Martinez has interfered with Maceo’s education and therapeutic care and drawn their son into their legal dispute.
She is asking the court to dismiss the restraining-order request, restore their previous 50-50 physical custody arrangement and give her sole legal authority over decisions involving their son’s education and medical care.
