Judge Orders Marilyn Manson to Testify in Lawsuit

A Los Angeles County judge has ordered Marilyn Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, to attend a deposition in a sexual assault lawsuit filed by his former assistant, Ashley Walters. Judge Steve Cochran ruled that while Manson can assert his Fifth Amendment rights to refuse to answer questions, he cannot block the deposition pending the outcome of a related criminal investigation. This lawsuit stems from allegations made by Walters, who claims Manson subjected her to various forms of abuse during her time as his assistant in 2010. The trial is scheduled for June 2025, and Manson's legal team hopes recent developments with the District Attorney's office will clarify the status of the criminal investigation. The judge dismissed claims of an indefinite protective order against the deposition, emphasizing the need for a question-by-question approach. Manson has consistently denied all allegations against him, framing them as part of a broader effort to harm his reputation.