By CABayNews Staff
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has revived a long-running civil lawsuit against controversial rock musician Marilyn Manson (Brian Warner), after a newly enacted California statute created a limited window to bring time-barred sexual assault claims.
The plaintiff, former personal assistant Ashley Walters, originally filed her sexual assault and related civil claims in 2021. Those claims were dismissed multiple times — most recently in December 2025 — by Judge Steve Cochran on statute-of-limitations grounds, reflecting legitimate concerns over fairness when decades have passed since alleged conduct.
But last week, citing Assembly Bill 250, the judge granted a motion to reconsider and “revived” the case, setting a follow-up hearing for March.
What AB 250 Means
Assembly Bill 250, effective January 1, 2026, creates a temporary revival window — running until the end of 2027 — for adult survivors to re-file civil claims that had previously been dismissed as time-barred. Supporters argue the measure helps survivors overcome historical barriers to justice. Critics contend it undermines traditional statute-of-limitations rules that protect defendants from facing stale claims where evidence has likely deteriorated and memories have faded.
On its face, the statute reflects a policy choice by California legislators to broaden civil avenues for alleged victims. At the same time, it raises legitimate questions about retroactive application of law — and whether such retroactivity can erode settled expectations of fairness in the civil justice system.
The Stakes for Due Process
Manson, who has denied the allegations, faces renewed civil litigation but no criminal charges have been filed. A years-long Los Angeles County criminal investigation concluded with prosecutors declining to bring charges, citing evidentiary and statutory limitations.
His legal team has already signaled plans to challenge the revival on statutory and procedural grounds. According to statements reported in entertainment industry outlets, counsel maintains that the revived claim “will not survive the next motion for summary judgment,” and that applying AB 250 here is legally misplaced.
From a center-right perspective, this case highlights a tension between compassion for alleged victims and the rule of law. Statutes of limitations exist not to protect the guilty but to ensure fairness: evidence degrades, memories dim, witnesses become unavailable, and the law must balance the interests of both plaintiff and defendant.
Retroactive laws like AB 250 tip that balance. For survivors who believe they have been wronged, they offer a second chance; for those accused, they can mean reopening disputes long considered resolved. Courts will now have to determine whether the Legislature’s policy choice applies here and, if so, how far back such revival powers should reach.
Broader Implications
The resurgence of this lawsuit also feeds into larger debates about civil justice reform, legislative authority, and the boundaries of retroactivity. Critics of AB 250 argue that reviving dormant claims can undermine predictability and encourage serial litigation. Supporters see such laws as overdue corrective measures for systemic injustices faced by abuse survivors.
Whatever one’s view, this case will serve as a significant test of California’s evolving legal landscape — forcing courts to reconcile newly enacted policy with foundational legal principles such as fairness, due process, and clarity of law.
As the March hearing approaches, observers should watch not just what evidence emerges, but how the judiciary interprets the interplay between legislative change and longstanding procedural safeguards.
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