Angelina Jolie reportedly believes the judge overseeing her custody case was “biased” against her ex-husband, Brad Pitt — and now the actress is urging California’s governor to require domestic violence training for court professionals.
In a two-page letter dated September 29, the “Girl, Interrupted” actress urged Governor Gavin Newsom to support “Piqui’s Law.”
The bill would prevent children from going to “reunification camps,” forcing them to live with their abusive parent.
It would also establish domestic violence training programs for judicial officers and mediators on the effects of child abuse and trauma.
“You will know that Piqui’s Law takes its name from a five-year-old boy who suffered a tragic fate and was murdered by his father in April 2017,” Jolie wrote.
Piqui’s mother, Ana Estevez, fought unsuccessfully in California family court to secure her child’s protection.
“For the past six years, Ana has worked with California lawmakers to ensure that authorities do not overlook or dismiss the signs of abuse, signs that tragically lead to the harm and death of countless children in our country.”
Angelina Jolie wrote a two-page letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom urging him to support a bill that would provide judges with domestic violence training
The 48-year-old actress is said to have cited her own custody battle, in which the judge denied her children the opportunity to testify about the abuse they suffered at the hands of their father.
Jolie and her ex-husband, actor Brad Pitt, have six children together and share custody
A source close to Jolie said the actress is pushing for the legislation after her experience with Los Angeles Judge John Ouderkirk, who refused to let her children testify about domestic violence they suffered at the hands of their father.
Ouderkirk, a retired private judge who officiated the couple’s wedding, ruled in May 2021 that the couple would retain equal custody of their children.
“This is personal to her, and for good reason,” the source said, citing her disagreements with the “biased” Ouderkirk, who was removed from the case after failing to disclose his business dealings with Pitt’s lawyers.
Jolie claimed Ouderkirk denied her children the opportunity to testify, even though California law allowed children 14 and older to do so.
She challenged the judge’s preliminary custody decision and petitioned the appeals court to remove him from the case. In July 2021 he was disqualified.
“Their entire family is the victim of a system error,” the source continued.
“She has been fighting privately for her family and publicly for other families for years.”
However, sources close to Brad Pitt told the newspaper New York Post that Jolie is trying to “misrepresent the truth” and damage the reputations of those who testified against her.
“While the legislation she supports is potentially very feasible, it has nothing to do with her custody case,” the source said.
“It is inexplicable why she would use her plea for another defamatory attempt to ignore all objective facts to advance her own interests.”
Jolie challenged the judge’s preliminary custody decision and petitioned the appeals court to remove him from the case
The judge, John Ouderkirk, was ultimately fired after the court ruled that he failed to disclose business dealings with Pitt’s legal team.
Sources close to the ‘World War Z’ actor’s legal team also claimed that the decision to remove Ouderkirk was based on a ‘technical procedure’ and had nothing to do with facts related to the case.
They denied that the judge did business “with anyone.”
Jolie fought to retain custody of the children after a 2016 argument detailed in an FBI report.
Pitt, who had been drinking, ‘grabbed her by the head, shook her’ and shook Jolie by the shoulders as they argued about one of their children during a private flight to France.
According to Jolie, Pitt said, “You’re destroying this family!” and hit the ceiling four times.
When the children asked if she was okay, Pitt said, “No, she’s not okay, she’s ruining this family, she’s crazy.”
One of the kids then shouted, “It’s not her, it’s you, you son of a bitch!” before Pitt would charge the child.
Jolie stopped him, causing injuries to her back and elbow, the report alleged.
The actress filed for divorce six days later, but the FBI did not pursue charges against Pitt.
A source close to Pitt claimed there were no shady dealings and labeled Jolie’s actions “defamatory.”
The custody battle stems from a 2016 altercation in which Pitt allegedly shook Jolie, punched the ceiling and tried to run at one of their children.
Newsom has until Oct. 14 to sign or veto “Piqui’s Law,” formally known as Senate Bill 331. If he doesn’t take action, it will become law on January 1.
“This is personal to her, and for good reason,” a source said of Jolie’s support for the bill
A source close to Jolie said Pitt had “never denied his abusive behavior,” adding, “If this were to happen to Jolie in her lawsuit, imagine what’s happening across the country.”
However, a source close to Pitt said the actor has admitted his wrongdoing regarding the plane fiasco, but reiterated that no charges have been filed against him.
“Those FBI reports were introduced into evidence at the custody hearing, where he was still given 50/50 custody,” the source said.
“She tried to destroy everyone who testified against her or advocated against her. These defamatory comments against Judge Ouderkirk are demonstrably false, and she has even gone after a child evaluator who testified in the case.”
“Piqui’s Law,” formally known as Senate Bill 331, was passed by the California Legislature on September 15 and now awaits Newsom’s signature to take full effect.
It is named after Aramazd Andressian Jr., a 5-year-old boy who was murdered by his father after a trip to Disneyland in 2017.
The boy’s mother, Ana Estevez, warned officials that his father was dangerous when she tried to divorce him.
However, the man was awarded joint custody of their son, and the judge allowed him to take the boy affectionately known as ‘Piqui’ on holiday.
He initially claimed his son had been kidnapped, but months later he led police to where he was buried in a wooded area near Santa Barbara.
Activists gathered on the stairs outside Pasadena City Hall on September 18, urging Newsom to support the bill.
The governor has until October 14 to sign or veto it. If he doesn’t take action, SB-331 will become law on January 1.