A California court dismissed a 2021 lawsuit with no prejudice: Marilyn Mansonwhose legal name is Brian Warner, was accused of assault.
Ashley Morgan Smithline, model, entertainer as well Manson’s ex-partner, had sued the musician for sexual assault, sexual violence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, unlawful detention and more. Warner has now denied the allegations. This was reported by the Los Angeles Times, confirmed by Pitchfork.
Judge dismisses Ashley Morgan Smithline’s sex-assault lawsuit against Marilyn Manson https://t.co/qZnsgpTG7Q
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 5, 2023
Attorney has retired
In October 2022, Jay Ellwanger retired as Smithline’s attorney. Smithline had failed to meet a December deadline to acquire new representation or to represent itself. This led to the court’s most recent decision. However, Smithline may resubmit the case with new representation.
“We thank and commend Ashley Smithline for dismissing her claims against Brian Warner without seeking or receiving anything in return,” Warner attorney Howard King wrote in a statement on Pitchfork.
“MS. Smithline has refused to be manipulated by others trying to further their own schemes against Mr. Warner. We wish her well and will continue to work to ensure that those who have attempted to abuse our justice system pay a significant price.”
Other lawsuits against Manson remain pending
Manson is currently facing a federal lawsuit against the actress Esmé Bianco opposite, who accused the musician of sexual assault and sexual assault. Manson is also suing Evan Rachel Wood for defamation, in response to her publicly naming him as her abuser in early 2021 and her experiences in the documentary “Phoenix Rising” described in detail.
In May, the Los Angeles Superior Court dismissed another lawsuit filed by a woman who had worked as Warner’s assistant. She accused him of sexual assault, assault and harassment. Judge Michael Stern ruled that the lawsuit could not proceed because alleged incidents occurred beyond the state’s two-year statute of limitations.