Marilyn Manson's Defamation Lawsuit Against Evan Rachel Wood: A Complex Battle Over Allegations and Forgery

Marilyn Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, has been embroiled in a legal battle with his former fiance Evan Rachel Wood and her partner Illma Gore. The dispute centers around allegations of sexual assault and defamation, with Manson accusing Wood and Gore of fabricating evidence to ruin his career.

In August 2024, Manson filed an appeal to reinstate his defamation lawsuit against Wood and Gore. The appeal includes a copy of a purported FBI letter that Manson claims was forged to create the illusion that he was under investigation and that his alleged victims were in danger. Manson's attorney, Howard E. King, alleged in the appeal that Wood and Gore orchestrated a malicious campaign to damage Warner's reputation.

Manson's lawsuit was initially dismissed by a California judge in May 2023, citing California's anti-SLAPP legislation. However, Manson's legal team argued that the trial court failed to consider critical evidence, including a sworn affidavit from model Ashley Morgan Smithline. Smithline had previously accused Manson of sexual assault but later recanted her statements, claiming she was pressured by Wood and Gore to make false accusations.

Smithline's affidavit detailed how she was repeatedly gaslit by Wood and Gore into believing she had been abused by Manson. She stated that she succumbed to pressure from Wood and her associates to make untrue accusations against Warner. This new evidence is crucial for Manson's opposition to the anti-SLAPP motions, which argue that there is no admissible evidence substantiating his allegations against Wood and Gore.

Manson's legal team also included an affidavit from Ashley Lindsay Morgan Smithline, who attested that she had a brief, consensual sexual relationship with Manson in 2010. She claimed that she was contacted by Manson's former assistant in 2020 to participate in a group meeting of women who had relationships or experiences with Manson. Smithline stated that over about a year, she had many communications with Wood during which Wood described sexual violence and asked whether Smithline had been similarly victimized.

Despite these allegations, Wood's lawyer Michael Kump maintained that Wood did not fabricate or forge the FBI letter. However, Manson's appeal reiterates his claims that the letter was part of a fabricated narrative designed to harm his reputation.

The legal battle has been ongoing since 2020, when Wood publicly accused Manson of severe sexual abuse during a congressional subcommittee hearing. Several other women have since come forward with similar allegations, leading to an investigation by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office.

While Manson's career has been significantly impacted by these allegations, he has recently made a resurgence in the music scene. He has released new singles, including 'As Sick as the Secrets Within' and 'Raise the Red Flag,' which have achieved success on hard rock digital charts.

The case highlights the complexities of #MeToo allegations and the challenges of proving defamation in cases involving public figures. As prosecutors continue to review new evidence in the Marilyn Manson sexual abuse probe, the legal battle between Manson and his accusers remains a contentious issue.

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