Ashley Walters, who previously worked as Marilyn Manson’s personal assistant, is attempting to once again move forward with her lawsuit against the musician, whose real name is Brian Warner. Walters originally filed the suit in 2021, accusing Manson of s*xual harassment, s*xual assault, s*xual battery, emotional distress, and violations of multiple California civil statutes.
According to the filing, the alleged incidents took place during the period Walters was employed by Manson, from August 2010 through July 2011. The case was initially dismissed in May 2022 after a judge determined the claims were barred by the statute of limitations. That decision was later overturned on appeal in December 2023, allowing the lawsuit to proceed.
The matter, however, faced another setback late last year. On December 16, 2025, a judge dismissed the lawsuit for a second time, again citing statute-of-limitations issues, as well as concerns over the claims being raised years later based on what Walters described as repressed memories. Addressing the ruling last month, Judge Steve Cochran stated:
“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.”
Walters‘ attorney, Kate McFarlane, expressed strong disagreement with the court’s decision, arguing that the legal system is failing to account for the psychological complexities of ab*se trauma.
“We’re disappointed. We think this is the wrong decision,” McFarlane told. “The delayed discovery rule is specifically to address situations where victims of s*xual ab*se deserve the ability to seek justice when their ab*ser has used tactics to prevent them from coming forward. This is something we see time and time again, and it seems the law hasn’t caught up to the science and what’s right for victims. But I don’t believe this is the end of the road.”
Conversely, Manson‘s legal team welcomed the dismissal as a vindication of their client. Attorney Howard King issued a statement emphasizing the personal toll the allegations have taken on the musician.
“It’s gratifying, after all these years, that a judge can just look at the facts and see that once again, Brian Warner was wrongfully accused,” King stated. “It’s nice for him to get some justice, though it was at great personal cost. Now he can move on.”
Rolling Stone now reports that Walters is attempting to revive the lawsuit once again, this time under a newly enacted California law that took effect on January 1 of this year. The legislation, known as AB 250, establishes a limited revival window running from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027, allowing adult survivors of s*xual assault to file civil claims that were previously dismissed due to statute of limitations restrictions. A hearing on the matter has now been scheduled.
Manson‘s lawyer, Howard King, told Rolling Stone:
“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 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 ab*ser 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.”
