Prosecutors in California announced on Friday that they had dropped all charges against rock artist Marilyn Manson related to a sexual assault and domestic abuse investigation that had been ongoing for years.
With the words “we cannot prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt,” prosecutors stated that the accusations against Marilyn Mansonwere made after the statute of limitations had run out.
Marilyn Manson (real name Brian Warner) was the defendant in four cases where the plaintiffs alleged rape, sexual assault, and physical abuse.
Warner, via his attorney, called the allegations “falsehoods” and rejected them time and time again.
An attorney for Warner, Howard King, expressed that his client is “very pleased” with the outcome and reiterated that Warner has always maintained his innocence.
Model Ashley Morgan Smithline, actress Esmé Bianco of Game of Thrones, and former personal assistant Ashley Walters are the four women who have sued Warner, claiming that he sexually and physically abused them. The lady who opted to stay unidentified was the fourth.
“We recognize and applaud the courage and resilience of the women who came forward to make reports and share their experiences,” stated Nathan J. Hochman of the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
“We thank them for their cooperation and patience with the investigation.”
In 2021, the authorities started examining allegations that occurred in Warner’s West Hollywood neighborhood between 2009 and 2011.
Including the rock star’s ex-fiancée, Evan Rachel Wood, over a dozen women have leveled accusations against him.
“Repeatedly threatened” to “find her” and “kill her if she left him” was the threat leveled by Smithline, the plaintiff in the four women’s most recent case, according to court filings.
Her account was similar to that of Walters, who had already testified against Warner in court, describing him as a nasty employer who had authorized his cronies to kiss and grope her. He also insisted that she work nonstop for two days in a row.
His management, booking agency, and record label have all cut connections with Warner since the accusations surfaced.
According to Warner’s February 2021 Instagram post, “These recent claims about me are horrible distortions of reality,” despite the fact that Warner’s work and life have always brought controversy.
