Industrial metal star Marilyn Manson (whose real name is Brian Hugh Warner) will face a jury trial on 2nd June 2025 following allegations of “horrific abuse” from his former assistant Ashley Walters. She claims that Manson whipped her, threw plates at her and sexually assaulted her while she worked as the musician’s personal assistant from 2010 to 2011. Ashley claims he also pushed her into a wall, broke down doors to get to her, charged at her and forced her to stand on a chair for 12 hours.
The ex-assistant first sued in 2021 and her case was thrown out of court in May 2022 with Manson’s legal team using the statute of limitations where claims expire two years from the alleged crimes. However, her appeal in December last year was successful.
Her lawyer James Vagnini told Rolling Stone magazine: “We are happy that the delays are behind us and that we will have an opportunity to present all the facts to a jury next year. We are confident they will acknowledge the harm done to Ms Walters and deliver a resounding message to all survivors of such terrible abuse.”
This is not Manson’s first accusation of this nature – he was accused of rape and torture by his ex-fiancée, Westworld star Evan Rachel Wood. He filed a defamation lawsuit against her last year, which was thrown out in May. Then this January, Manson was ordered to pay almost $327,000 to cover the cost of the actress’s legal fees.
Meanwhile, Esmé Bianco of Game Of Thrones fame also accused the rockstar of abusive behaviour. She sued for sexual, physical and emotional abuse in 2021 but the case was ultimately settled out of court in January last year. In addition, Manson reached a private settlement last September with an unnamed female accuser who alleged he brutally raped her in 2011. She claimed the musician had threatened to “bash her head in,” and denied her food and sleep during their relationship. It is reported that Manson and his legal representatives have denied all allegations of sexual misconduct.
