Judge Refuses to Dismiss Marilyn Manson Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Citing 'Trouble Sleeping'

The legal battle surrounding Marilyn Manson continues to unfold, as Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Steve Cochran has rejected the artist's bid to dismiss a sexual assault lawsuit filed by his former assistant, Ashley Walters. This pivotal decision comes five months after the case was revived under California's AB250 law, which provides a two-year window for older sexual assault claims to proceed.

Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, had sought to shut down Walters' claims. His lawyer, Alexa Foley, argued during the hearing that the allegations did not meet the criteria for revival under the new law, specifically contending that Walters was not physically restrained during the alleged sexual assault.

Walters' third amended complaint, filed in February, details an incident from May 2010 at Warner's West Hollywood home studio. She alleges that Warner pushed her onto a bed, pinned her arms, and attempted to kiss her as she pulled away. The complaint further states that Warner then moved behind her, "bit her ear while grabbing her hand and placing it in his underwear."

Foley contested this, arguing that Walters quickly moved away from the attempted kiss, suggesting a lack of restraint when the alleged intimate touching occurred. However, Judge Cochran found this distinction too fine to make at such an early stage of the proceedings.

The judge asserted that Walters' claims, as presented, were strong enough to allow the case to advance. This means both sides will now proceed with gathering evidence to determine if the alleged sexual assault fully qualifies for revival under the AB250 statute.

"With allegations like this, you think I’m going to be quibbling with somebody about whether it’s sexual assault or not at the pleading stage? I’d have trouble sleeping," Judge Cochran remarked, underscoring the weight he placed on the allegations.

While Judge Cochran acknowledged that Walters' related claims of a cover-up by Warner's company, Marilyn Manson Records, might be more vulnerable to challenge due to the timing of her employment, he allowed those claims to proceed for now. He indicated that Warner's legal team could challenge these claims again in a motion for summary judgment, after more evidence has been collected.

Warner's lawyer, Howard King, commented outside the courtroom that the ruling was "not unexpected," viewing it as "a clear invitation for a summary judgment motion." He added that "the judge telegraphed explicitly that we’re not at the right stage of the case yet."

Conversely, Walters' legal team expressed satisfaction with the decision. Attorney Bina Ahmad stated, "We are obviously pleased. We truly take the inspiration to keep fighting from our client. She’s the brave one." The parties are scheduled to return for a case management conference in August.

This latest development is part of a complex and protracted legal journey. Judge Cochran had previously revived the lawsuit in January, reversing his own December 16 dismissal after a close examination of AB250.

Walters first filed her lawsuit against Warner in 2021. The case has seen multiple dismissals and appeals, including a May 2022 dismissal as untimely, which was later overturned by an appellate panel. The panel granted Walters an opportunity to prove trauma-induced memory suppression delayed her filing, a showing Judge Cochran initially found she failed to make before the AB250 revival.

The complaint alleges that Warner initially lured Walters to his home studio in 2010, complimenting her photography and suggesting a collaboration. She claims the encounter took a dark turn when Warner became aggressive and assaulted her, with her car trapped in an adjacent parking lot from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Walters later took a job as Warner's assistant, believing in the possibility of future professional collaboration. However, her lawsuit details a subsequent campaign of alleged physical and emotional abuse, including whipping, hurling plates, forcing her to stand on a chair for extended periods, and throwing her into a wall during what she described as drug-fueled rages.

Beyond her own purported direct abuse, Walters alleges she witnessed Warner's abuse of others. She claims to have seen him throw a prop skull at his former fiancée, Evan Rachel Wood, with such force that it allegedly left "a large, raised welt." She also recounted sneaking food and drinks to Warner's "starving and distraught" girlfriends hiding in a guest bathroom. Warner has consistently denied these allegations.

Walters' lawsuit emerged in February 2021, amidst a wave of accusations against Warner by multiple women, including Wood, detailing alleged physical and emotional abuse. Warner has since reached out-of-court settlements with two accusers, including actress Esmé Bianco, and abandoned claims of defamation and harassment he had filed against Wood.

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• Marilyn Manson's Sexual Assault Case Revived After New California Law Takes Effect
• Marilyn Manson's Sexual Assault Lawsuit Revived Under New California Law
• Marilyn Manson's Legal Battles Continue: Judge Revives Ashley Walters' Sexual Assault Lawsuit

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