A judge ruled Monday that Marilyn Manson cannot avoid a deposition in the sexual assault lawsuit by his former assistant, Ashley Walters, despite an ongoing criminal investigation.
Judge Steve Cochran ruled that Manson can attend the deposition and use his Fifth Amendment right to stay silent. However, he cannot block the deposition while waiting for a decision from District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
The judge said Walters’ case, set for trial in June 2025, is unlikely to be delayed. Walters filed the lawsuit in May 2021. “There is no authority for a protective order blanket, for an indefinite period of time,” Judge Cochran dismissed Warner’s request on Monday. “There’s no such thing as a blanket assertion that would prevent a question-by-question approach.”
In 2021, actress Evan Rachel Wood named Manson as her abuser after years of speculation. This led to more accusations and a police investigation. Manson’s home was raided in November 2021, and the case was sent to the District Attorney in September 2022.
During the recent election, Esmé Bianco, one of Manson’s accusers, criticized the DA for slow progress. The DA later said new evidence had been found and was being reviewed before deciding on charges.
Walters was one of the first to accuse Manson and sued him in 2021. She says she worked as his assistant in 2010. During that time, she claims Manson whipped her, threw plates at her, bit her ear, pinned her down, forced her hand into his underwear, and threatened her.
Walters said she saw Manson throw a prop skull at Evan Rachel Wood, leaving a welt on her stomach. Manson denies this. In 2022, a judge dismissed Walters’ case due to the statute of limitations. But in December 2023, she won an appeal to continue the lawsuit.
Manson’s lawyer said they plan to talk with District Attorney Hochman’s office soon about the case. They hope the new DA will decide on charges or end the investigation in the coming weeks.
Judge Cochran asked what would happen if the DA’s office stayed silent. Walters’ lawyer argued that Manson can use his Fifth Amendment right but cannot use it to delay the case. Walters’ case is set for trial in June 2025.
