A Los Angeles judge has once again dismissed a high-profile lawsuit against Marilyn Manson, filed by his former assistant, Ashley Walters, citing that the claims are time-barred under California law.
The lawsuit, initially filed in 2021, accused Manson of sexual harassment, assault, battery, and emotional distress during Walters’ employment from 2010 to 2011. However, the court ruled that nearly ten years had passed since the alleged incidents, exceeding the statute of limitations. The judge also declined to extend the filing period under the delayed discovery rule, which sometimes allows victims to sue later if trauma prevents earlier reporting.
This is the second dismissal of the case. After its first dismissal in 2022, an appeals court revived the suit in 2023, allowing it to move forward in the legal system. The recent ruling ends the lawsuit before it could go to trial.
Walters’ attorney, Kate McFarlane, expressed disappointment, stating that they plan to appeal the ruling, arguing that her client’s trauma should allow for an exception under the delayed discovery rule. Meanwhile, Manson’s legal team, led by Howard King, called the decision a vindication, emphasizing that the claims were legally overdue.
The dismissal comes amid a series of legal disputes for Manson. In January 2025, prosecutors chose not to file criminal charges in a broader investigation of alleged abuse, citing statute of limitations and insufficient evidence. Other civil claims against the musician have either been settled or dismissed, including a recent defamation lawsuit involving Evan Rachel Wood.
With Walters’ case now closed in civil court, Marilyn Manson faces fewer ongoing legal battles, though his former assistant’s team continues to explore possible appeals.
