Ashley Walters, the former personal assistant of shock rocker Marilyn Manson (aka Brian Warner), is seeking to once again revive her lawsuit against the 57-year-old musician. That suit, which found Walters accusing Manson of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual battery, infliction of emotional distress and the violation of several Californian civil codes, was first filed in 2021.
The alleged incidents are claimed to have transpired during her time in Manson‘s employ from August 2010 to July of 2011. A judge’s concerns with the statute of limitations for the claims saw the case dismissed in May of 2022, with the suit later being successfully appealed in December of 2023.
However, December 16th of 2025 saw a judge dismiss the suit for a second time, once again having raised concerns with the statute of limitations and the nature of the alleged victim’s claims being brought forward years later on basis of ‘suppressed’ memories. Judge Steve Cochran said of the matter last month:
“We have a situation where the complaint was not filed until about 10 years after the operative events. I’m not able to find that the delayed discovery rule is applicable. I don’t have the authority to rule that the delayed discovery doctrine would apply under the circumstances that exist in this case.”
Rolling Stone now report that Walters is seeking to once again revive the suit under a newly instated Californian law that went into effect on January 01st of this year. That law, AB 250, creates a temporary window of revival from January 01st, 2026 to December 31st, 2027 that will allow adult survivors of sexual assault to bring forth civil lawsuits that were previously barred due to statute of limitations concerns. A hearing over the matter is now set to take place.
Howard King, lawyer for Manson told Rolling Stone of this latest development:
“Ashley Walters‘ meritless claim has now been dismissed twice. We are confident that her motion to reconsider the most recent dismissal based on a new and inapplicable statute will fail.”
Walters‘ legal representation at Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai meanwhile told Rolling Stone in response:
“This law did not become effective until Jan. 1, 2026, and could not have been raised prior to its effective date. This is a ridiculous argument, and just another tactic by Mr. Warner to skirt accountability. Ms. Walters has waited far too long to hold her abuser accountable, and outdated statute of limitations arguments will no longer protect him. We are grateful that the judge granted our request today to set a hearing on this issue. We are optimistic that her case will go forward and she will get the justice she rightfully deserves.”
