Shock rocker Marilyn Manson was previously embroiled in several ugly lawsuits stemming from allegations of assault and domestic violence. About a year ago, Manson got good news when a judge said that many of the charges could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and domestic violence allegations fell outside the statute of limitation in California.
More than a dozen women made allegations against Manson. After the ruling Manson’s attorney said: “We are very pleased that, after a thorough and incredibly lengthy review of all of the actual evidence, the District Attorney has concluded what we knew and expressed from the start – Brian Warner is innocent.”
Another lawsuit was still pending, however, until earlier this week. A judge again ruled that an assault and battery lawsuit filed by Manson’s former assistant has been dismissed, and that a trial that was set to begin next month isn’t happening. Once again, the claims fell outside the statute of limitations.
“We have a situation where the complaint was not filed until about 10 years after the operative events. I’m not able to find that the delayed discovery rule is applicable,” Los Angeles County Judge Steve Cochran said, per Rolling Stone. “I don’t have the authority to rule that the delayed discovery doctrine would apply under the circumstances that exist in this case.”
Ashley Walters had previously served as Manson’s personal assistant. Her lawsuit alleged sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, interference with the exercise of civil rights in violation of the Bane Act, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Walters’ lawyer said: “We’re disappointed. We think this is the wrong decision. The delayed discovery rule is specifically to address situations where victims of sexual abuse deserve the ability to seek justice when their abuser has used tactics to prevent them from coming forward. This is something we see time and time again and it seems the law hasn’t caught up to the science and what’s right for victims. But I don’t believe this is the end of the road.”
Manson’s lawyer also issued a statement after the ruling saying: “It’s gratifying, after all these years, that a judge can just look at the facts and see that once again, Brian Warner was wrongfully accused. It’s nice for him to get some justice, though it was at great personal cost. Now he can move on.”
