Ashley Walters seeks to revive sexual assault lawsuit against Marilyn Manson under new California law

Ashley Walters, the former personal assistant of Marilyn Manson, is once again attempting to revive her sexual assault lawsuit against the musician, whose real name is Brian Warner. The case, first filed in 2021, accuses Warner of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual battery, infliction of emotional distress, and multiple violations of California civil codes.

Case history and previous dismissals

Walters claims the alleged incidents took place between August 2010 and July 2011, during her employment with Manson. However, a judge dismissed the lawsuit in May 2022 due to statute of limitations issues. Although Walters successfully appealed that decision in December 2023, the case faced another setback late last year.

On December 16, 2025, the court dismissed the lawsuit for a second time. Judge Steve Cochran again cited concerns over the statute of limitations and questioned whether the delayed discovery rule could apply to claims based on suppressed memories raised years after the alleged events.

“We have a situation where the complaint was not filed until about 10 years after the operative events,” Cochran stated at the time. “I’m not able to find that the delayed discovery rule is applicable.”

New law opens a possible path forward

According to Rolling Stone, Walters is now seeking to move the case forward under a newly enacted California law. Assembly Bill 250, which came into effect on January 1, 2026, creates a temporary revival window lasting until December 31, 2027. During this period, adult survivors of sexual assault may bring civil lawsuits that were previously barred by statute of limitations restrictions.

As a result, the court has agreed to set a new hearing to determine whether Walters’ case can proceed under the new legislation.

Conflicting responses from both sides

Howard King, legal counsel for Marilyn Manson, dismissed the renewed effort and expressed confidence that the motion will fail.

“Ashley Walters’ meritless claim has now been dismissed twice,” King told Rolling Stone. “We are confident that her motion to reconsider the most recent dismissal based on a new and inapplicable statute will fail.”

Meanwhile, Walters’ legal team at Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai strongly disagreed. They argue that the new law could not have been cited earlier and directly addresses cases like this one.

“This law did not become effective until January 1, 2026,” the firm stated. “Outdated statute of limitations arguments will no longer protect him. We are optimistic that her case will go forward.”

Further updates are expected once the court hearing takes place.