Marilyn Manson has been cleared in a lawsuit filed by a woman accusing him of sexual assault. Earlier this month, a California court dismissed the case without prejudice.
Model Ashley Morgan Smithline originally filed the lawsuit in 2021. She accused the singer of sexual assault, battery, and unlawful imprisonment.
However, her legal representation withdrew in October, and Ashley failed to find a new attorney before the deadline, leading to the case’s dismissal. But the without prejudice is key, as this means the case can be tried again, if Ashley finds new representation or represents herself.
“We thank and commend Ashley Smithline for dismissing her claims against Brian Warner without seeking or receiving anything in return,” Marilyn’s attorney Howard King said in a statement. “Ms Smithline has refused to be manipulated by others who are trying to pursue their own agendas against Mr Warner.”
They lawyer added, “We wish her well and will continue to work to assure that a significant price will be paid by those who have tried to abuse our legal system.”
Marilyn may have avoided a lengthy court battle and potential settlement this time. But this isn’t the first of the rockstar’s legal problems. He’s been hit with lawsuits filled with similar allegations.
In May, a lawsuit filed by his former assistant Ashley Walters was dismissed as it fell outside of the statute of limitations, despite her claims that he sexually assaulted her.
Similarly, in 2021, a lawsuit filed by one of his ex-girlfriends was also dismissed since it fell out of the statute of limitations. Marilyn was being accused of sexual assault and attempted murder.
The singer will need to appear in court soon to face actress Esme Bianco. She filed an ongoing lawsuit claiming he sexually assaulted her.
Marilyn also launched his own defamation lawsuit against his ex-girlfriend, Evan Rachel Wood, last March, after the actress alleged he groomed and assaulted her during their relationship. The case remains ongoing.
"I can't, obviously, speak about any of the specific allegations of the lawsuit, but I am not scared," Evan said The View about the case. "I am sad, because this is how it works, this is what pretty much every survivor that tries to expose someone in a position of power goes through, and this is part of the retaliation that keeps survivors quiet.”
She continued, “This is why people don't want to come forward, because this is — this was expected."
Sources: The Guardian, EW,