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Marilyn Manson is set for a 2027 jury trial over an assault claim

A California law revived the case after it had first been thrown out on a statute of limitations.

Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson leaps mid-performance on stage, wearing a black peaked cap and leather outfit and gripping a microphone, with his band's drum kit visible behind him.
Manson performing during his co-headlining tour with Five Finger Death Punch in 2024. Photo: Aversives, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A civil sexual assault lawsuit against Marilyn Manson is headed to a jury trial in the fall of 2027, Metal Injection reported on August 13. The suit was brought by Ashley Walters, Manson's former personal assistant, who alleges he sexually assaulted her during her employment.

The case had originally been dismissed, but a new California law that took effect this year opened a temporary window, running through December 31, 2027, for old civil claims outside the normal statute of limitations to be retried. Walters used that window to bring her case back to civil court, and a Los Angeles County judge set the trial date on August 12 after denying Manson's bid to have the suit dismissed again.

Manson's lawyer, Howard King, said the defense is "confident the case will never get to trial" once the court hears their coming motion for summary judgment.

Walters alleges the assault happened in May 2010, and that she later took a job from Manson after he suggested a photography collaboration, then says she was subjected to physical and emotional abuse during her employment, including being whipped, having objects thrown at her, and being made to stand on chairs for long periods. Manson previously sued Walters for defamation but dropped that case and agreed to pay her attorneys' fees, a sum Metal Injection reports at $327,000. The case is one more piece of metal legal news around Manson this year.

The facts

  • The case was brought by a former assistant of Marilyn Manson
  • It is a civil sexual assault claim
  • The jury trial is set for the fall of 2027
  • A new California law revived the case after it was dismissed
  • Manson previously sued and settled with her over defamation

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