American actor, Brad Pitt, has had his appeal for custody of the five minor children he shares with actress, Angelina Jolie, denied by the California Supreme Court.
In September, the actor’s attorneys petitioned the high court to review the case. This happened after the judge that granted Pitt more time with the children, Judge John Ouderkirk was disqualified.
However, on Wednesday, the high court upheld the appellate court’s disqualification decision. The ruling stated, “Petition and stay denied.”
Consequently, the custody arrangement now adheres to the November 2018 agreement regarding their children, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 15, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 13.
According to representative for Pitt the appeals court’s previous decision,
“was based on a technical procedural issue. And the Supreme Court’s decision not to review that procedural issue does not change the extraordinary amount of factual evidence, which led the trial judge — and the many experts who testified — to reach their clear conclusion about what is in the children’s best interests. We will continue to do everything that’s legally necessary based on the detailed findings of the independent experts.”
In a statement Wednesday, Jolie’s attorney revealed that the actress welcomed the decision.
“Ms. Jolie is focused on her family and pleased that her children’s wellbeing will not be guided by unethical behavior. As reinforced by California’s appellate courts, our judiciary prioritizes ethics and children’s best interests. And won’t tolerate judicial misconduct to reward the interests of a party. Ms. Jolie is glad for the family to now move forward cooperatively.”
