Ashley Walters, the former personal assistant of Marilyn Manson, is seeking to once again revive her lawsuit against the 57-year-old musician under a newly instated Californian law that went into effect on January 1st of this year. Rolling Stone reported this development.
The legal battle has generated responses from both sides. Manson’s legal team expressed confidence in their position while Walters’ representatives argue the new law provides grounds for the case to proceed.
“Ashley Walters’ meritless claim has now been dismissed twice,” Howard King, lawyer for Manson told Rolling Stone. “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 responded with their own statement defending the motion.
“This law did not become effective until Jan. 1, 2026, and could not have been raised prior to its effective date,” they told Rolling Stone. “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 Walters has waited far too long to hold her abuser accountable, and outdated statute of limitations arguments will no longer protect him.”
The attorneys expressed optimism about the case’s prospects moving forward.
“We are grateful that the judge granted our request today to set a hearing on this issue,” they continued. “We are optimistic that her case will go forward and she will get the justice she rightfully deserves.”
This latest legal development represents another chapter in a complex case that has faced multiple dismissals and appeals over the past several years.
The Mosh revealed that Walters originally filed her lawsuit in 2021, alleging sexual assault, sexual battery, harassment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress stemming from her employment with Manson between August 2010 and July 2011. The case was first dismissed in May 2022 on statute of limitations grounds. It was briefly revived on appeal in December 2023, and then dismissed again on December 16, 2025 by Judge Steve Cochran, who again cited timing issues and concerns about delayed reporting and suppressed memories.
The new California law that Walters is invoking is Assembly Bill 250. The Mosh noted that it creates a temporary revival window through December 31, 2027 for previously time-barred civil sexual assault claims. Under AB 250, adult survivors like Walters can seek to revive claims that were previously dismissed or barred solely because they were filed too late.
The legal proceedings have now reached a critical juncture. The PRP confirmed that a hearing has been scheduled to determine whether Walters’ lawsuit can proceed under the new California statute. This hearing will be crucial in determining whether the case can move forward after its previous dismissals.
The case represents one of several legal challenges that have emerged against the controversial musician in recent years. It highlights ongoing debates about statute of limitations laws and their impact on sexual assault survivors seeking justice through the courts.
