Marilyn Manson’s Lawsuit Allegations Against Evan Rachel Wood Dismissed by Court

In the defamation lawsuit filed by Marilyn Manson against Evan Rachel Wood, the Los Angeles Superior Court judge dismissed certain portions of the case. The lawsuit stemmed from Wood’s accusation of Manson “grooming” her during her teenage years, which she shared in an Instagram post in February 2021. The former couple began their relationship when Wood was 19 and Manson was 39.

Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, alleged that Wood and another defendant named Illma Gore defamed him, caused intentional emotional distress, and harmed his career in music, TV, and film. The lawsuit claimed that they used false pretenses, including a phony FBI letter, to persuade other women to come forward with sexual abuse allegations against Manson and coached them on what to say.

Judge Teresa A. Beaudet dismissed the part of the lawsuit that pertained to the disputed FBI letter, which Wood denied forging. The judge also threw out a section that alleged Wood and Gore used a checklist found on an iPad to guide other women in making abuse claims against Manson. Beaudet found the evidence regarding the defendants’ use of the letter and checklist to be hypothetical and lacking in probability.

Manson’s lawyer, Howard King, expressed disappointment with the ruling and stated that they would immediately appeal to the California Court of Appeal. King mentioned the court’s refusal to consider a sworn declaration from former plaintiff Ashley Smithline, which detailed the alleged pressure exerted by Wood and Gore on women to make false claims against Manson.

Wood’s attorney, Michael Kump, welcomed the court’s ruling, emphasizing that it affirmed Wood’s exercise of her First Amendment rights and concluded that Manson’s claims against her lacked merit.

Manson’s legal team plans to pursue the appeal. Another sexual abuse lawsuit filed against Manson by Ashley Morgan Smithline was dismissed by a federal judge in January. Additionally, actress Esmé Bianco, known for her role in “Game of Thrones,” filed a lawsuit against Manson, which was settled in January.

In September, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department completed a 19-month investigation into sexual abuse allegations against Manson but determined that more evidence was needed before considering criminal charges. Throughout the accusations, Manson has consistently denied the allegations made against him.