Brian Warner, professionally known as Marilyn Manson, will not face criminal charges after a thorough four-year investigation by Los Angeles authorities.
Yahoo reported that the singer was under scrutiny over serious allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence but has been exonerated due to insufficient evidence and statute limitations.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office announced on Friday their decision to drop the case against Manson.
Despite numerous allegations from various women, the legal team stated their inability to prove the accusations beyond a reasonable doubt, coupled with some claims being too old to prosecute.
Manson had been accused by more than a dozen women, including his ex-fiancée, actress Evan Rachel Wood. Allegations ranged from emotional abuse to physical and sexual violence, sparking widespread media attention and calls for justice from the public and advocates alike.
The case garnered additional public scrutiny when Evan Rachel Wood publicly shared her experiences in February 2021. She claimed that her relationship with Manson began when she was 19 and he was 38, detailing a pattern of horrific abuse that spanned several years.
In addition to Wood, actress Esmé Bianco also came forward with her allegations, suing Manson in 2020 for sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The lawsuit was eventually settled in January 2023, a resolution that came amidst ongoing investigations but did little to sway the eventual legal outcome.
The investigative process, led by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department since 2021, was complex, involving detailed reviews of the accusations and the contexts in which they were made. Manson has continually denied all wrongdoing, adding a layer of controversy and public debate to the proceedings.
The district attorney, Nathan Hochman, emphasized the complexity of the case in his statement. "We have determined that allegations of domestic violence fall outside of the statute of limitations, and we cannot prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt," Hochman explained.
Despite the legal clearance, the district attorney acknowledged the bravery of the women who came forward. Hochman stated, "We recognize and applaud the courage and resilience of the women who came forward to make reports and share their experiences, and we thank them for their cooperation and patience with the investigation."
Manson's attorney also released a statement, declaring satisfaction with the conclusion of the investigation. "We are very pleased that, after a thorough and incredibly lengthy review of all the actual evidence, the District Attorney has concluded what we knew and expressed from the start: Brian Warner is innocent," said Manson's legal representative.
Esmé Bianco expressed her disappointment following the DA's decision, bringing attention to broader systemic issues. "I am deeply disappointed by the news, but sadly not surprised," Bianco shared. She highlighted the difficulties in prosecuting cases involving intimate partner violence and sexual assault, criticizing the statutes of limitations that hinder the legal pursuits of many survivors.
"Within our toxic culture of victim blaming; a lack of understanding of coercive control, the complex nature of sexual assault within intimate partnerships, and statutes of limitations that do not support the realities of healing; prosecutions face an oftentimes insurmountable hurdle," said Bianco. "Once again, our justice system has failed survivors."
Bianco also stated her intention to continue her healing process despite the legal outcome. "I am not disappointed in the detectives or prosecutors who worked for years on this case, but the system that made them do so with one hand tied behind their collective backs. I will not let this impact my healing and peace," she concluded.
Throughout the investigation, Manson continued his musical career, embarking on a sold-out international tour. He recently announced his first U.S. tour dates since the scandal broke, signaling a comeback attempt into the mainstream music scene despite the cloud of controversy still hanging over him.
As the news of the DA's decision circulates, discussions about the balance of justice, support for survivors, and the rights of the accused are likely to continue, reflecting the complex interplay of celebrity, justice, and public perception in high-profile cases.