Judge reopens sexual assault case against Marilyn Manson
A judge in Los Angeles has reopened a sexual assault case against Marilyn Manson, which was previously dismissed last year.
The lawsuit, filed by Manson’s former personal assistant, Ashley Walters, was dismissed on December 16th by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Steve Cochran, who has now reversed his prior decision due to a newly introduced law.
Cochran said at a hearing on January 26th, “I looked at this closely. I do think the statute revives the claim. You’re [heading toward trial] all over again.”
The new law, which has allowed it to become active once more, is known as AB 250 and was signed off by Governor Gavin Newsom in October. It gives alleged sexual assault victims a new lookback window of two years.
A follow-up hearing has now been set for March 27th, 2026.
In a statement, Manson’s lawyer, Howard King, told Rolling Stone that the musician, real name Brian Warner, is planning to appeal the decision.
The legal representative said, “Ashley Walters has been given the right to pursue a narrow claim of sexual assault under the newly enacted law, a claim that will not survive the next motion for summary judgment.”
King continued, “The undeniable fact is that Mr. Warner never committed any sexual assault.”
Meanwhile, Walters’ lawyer Bina Ahmad said in a statement to Deadline following the decision, “We are thrilled for Ms Walters. She has never given up fighting for justice.”
In her lawsuit, Walters accused Warner of sexual assault, as well as verbal, physical, and psychological abuse during her time working for him between 2010 and 2011. She also alleged she saw him physically assault his former fiancée, Evan Rachel Wood, with a prop skull. Warner denies these claims.
Walters first filed the lawsuit in 2021. However, it was initially dismissed due to exceeding California’s two-year statute of limitations in 2022, before being reinstated in 2023 through the appeals court.
In January 2025, prosecutors in California confirmed that a separate investigation into Manson had been dropped. Warner, who was never charged, strongly denied the accusations through his legal team, labelling the claims as “falsehoods”.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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