Marilyn Manson.Photo:Chelsea Lauren/WWD/Penske Media via Getty
Chelsea Lauren/WWD/Penske Media via Getty
Marilyn Manson’s former assistant has won a critical appeal that will revive her previously dismissed lawsuit against the rocker.
In the court filings, Walters claims that Manson (whose real name is Brian Warner) forced her hand into his underwear, whipped her, pushed her into a wall, forced her to stay awake for 48 hours straight, offered her up sexually to friends and associates, once required her to stand on a chair for 12 hours and fed her cocaine to keep her awake among other accusations. She also claims he used threatening behavior, like blackmail, to ensure her silence.
In 2021, Walters sued Manson, 54, with claims of sexual assault, sexual harassment and sex discrimination. At the time, she argued that though the alleged abuse took place during her year of employment in 2011, the two-year statute of limitations didn’t apply because she had suppressed her memories until 2020.
Marilyn Manson.Kurt Krieger - Corbis/Corbis via Getty
Kurt Krieger - Corbis/Corbis via Getty
Using the delayed discovery rule, which postpones the statue of limitations for victims who bury painful memories, her window to file was extended. However, a trial court judge ultimately tossed her case in May 2022 and said Walters “failed to plead facts to invoke the delayed discovery rule.”
“Walters contends she alleged sufficient facts to support application of the delayed discovery rule, which postponed accrual of her claims until 2020, when she joined a support group and was able to recover suppressed memories of Warner’s abuse,” the judges wrote in her ruling.
Adding, “Walters’ allegations of delayed discovery were sufficient to withstand demurrer, and we reverse."
Manson’s lawyer did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
The appeal comes afterseveral accusershave come forward in the past two years against Manson for sexual abuse. In April 2021, actressEsmé Biancobecame the first to file a civil suit against Manson over these allegations. Thesuit was settled in January.
Most recently, in September, Mansonreached a settlement agreementwith a woman who accused him of rape, days before the trial was due to begin.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
