A lawsuit filed by Ashley Walters, Marilyn Manson's former personal assistant, alleging sexual assault, has been dismissed ahead of trial, as reported by Rolling Stone. In his ruling, Los Angeles County Judge Steve Cochran observed that Walters' claims fell outside the statute of limitations. "We are faced with a situation where the complaint was not filed until about ten years after the events occurred," Judge Cochran stated during the hearing on Tuesday, December 16. "I'm unable to find that the delayed discovery rule is applicable." The judge continued, "I do not have the authority to rule that the delayed discovery doctrine would apply under the circumstances in this case." Pitchfork has reached out to Manson's and Walters' respective attorneys for comment.
Walters served as Manson's assistant between 2010 and 2011. During that time, she claims that the singer sexually harassed her and subjected her to verbal, physical, and psychological abuse. Her initial suit against Manson, filed in 2021, was dismissed due to the statute of limitations, only to be revived on appeal. Walters' lawyer, Kate McFarlane, reportedly plans to seek an appeal of this dismissal as well.
Last year, Manson dropped his defamation lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood and Illma Gore in 2022. Following a years-long investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department into claims of domestic violence and sexual assault against Manson, it was announced in January that he would not face criminal charges.
