Abuse lawsuit against Marilyn Manson dropped because a deadline was missed

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Singer Marilyn Manson at a concert in 2019

Photo: SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP

Several women have made sexual assault allegations against singer Marilyn Manson, four of whom have so far ended up in court.

The second lawsuit has now been dismissed.

It's about the case of the model Ashley Smithline.

The 35-year-old filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, in June 2021.

As US media reports, a judge in Los Angeles has now dismissed the case because Smithline allegedly missed a deadline.

After the departure of her lawyer, she would have had to decide within two months whether to represent herself or appoint a new lawyer.

Neither happened.

However, she should have the opportunity to file the lawsuit again.

Warner's attorney Howard King took the opportunity to make an offensive statement.

According to People magazine, he said they wished Smithline well and would "continue to work to ensure that those who have attempted to abuse our justice system pay a significant price."

Warner still denies all allegations against him.

His lawyers are portraying the women's reports as a smear campaign against him.

The allegations against Manson

Actress Evan Rachel Woods made public allegations for the first time in February.

More women followed.

Four of them then went to court: Ashley Smithline, actress Esmé Bianco, Manson's ex-assistant Ashley Walters, and a plaintiff whose name is not publicly known.

All report similar acts.

They range from psychological abuse and deprivation of liberty to rape and torture.

The Walters case was dismissed last year because, according to the responsible judge, the crimes were statute-barred.

According to media reports, Walters wants to appeal.

The other two processes are still running.

Additionally, in March 2021, Warner filed a defamation lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood, who his attorneys say "recruited, coordinated and pressured women" to make false statements against Warner.

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