California Judge Reopens Marilyn Manson Sexual-Assault Lawsuit Under New Law

Overview

• Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Steve Cochran said the revival statute reopens the case and told the parties they are headed back to trial.
• The lawsuit, filed in May 2021 by former assistant Ashley Walters, alleges repeated sexual assault, physical abuse, drugging, and that Manson showed her a video of him abusing a minor.
• Cochran had dismissed the suit in December on statute-of-limitations grounds before the new two-year window for lapsed sexual-offense claims took effect in January.
• Walters, who worked at Manson Records from 2010 to 2011, asked the court to reconsider under the new law, returning the matter to active litigation.
• Manson’s attorney Howard King denies the allegations, argues the revived claims do not meet the statute’s requirements and cannot be expanded, and says the case will not succeed.