Metal Anarchy

According to Rolling Stone, the lawsuit filed against Marilyn Manson by his ex-assistant Ashley Walters has been dismissed once again. The complaint, which was revived following a previous dismissal, was initially filed for sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and more.

Los Angeles Judge Steve Cochran said the case was not exempt from the statute of limitations and Walters’ claims of suppressed memories were not enough to revive it:

“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. I don’t have the authority to rule that the delayed discovery doctrine would apply under the circumstances that exist in this case.”

Walters‘ legal representative Kate McFarlane commented:

“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 legal representative Howard King added:

“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.”

As previously reported, Manson has been facing allegations from multiple women who came forward after being inspired by Evan Rachel Wood, who claimed that he “horrifically abused [her] for years.” Among those who shared their stories were Walters as well as Ashley Morgan Smithline, who accused him of sexual assault before recanting her statements, Esmé Bianco, who settled a lawsuit in which she accused him of abuse and human trafficking, Bianca Allaine Kyne, who filed a lawsuit after claiming he sexually assaulted her when she was a minor, and one unidentified woman, who settled a rape and death threat lawsuit.

For his part, Manson has continued to deny the allegations, while also lamenting the impact they have had on his career. He also filed a lawsuit against Wood for defamation, but has since been ordered to pay her legal fees. Despite all this, the L.A. District Attorney previously confirmed that Manson won’t be facing any criminal charges.