Marilyn Manson accuser says the musician ‘did not ever assault or abuse me’

Ashley Morgan Smithline, who previously accused rock musician Marilyn Manson of rape and emotional and physical abuse, has retracted her original claims, stating they “contained untrue statements”.

In 2021, Smithline posted accusations against the musician on Instagram.

She also filed a lawsuit against Manson – whose real name is Bryan Hugh Warner – and his record company, accusing the musician of sexual assault, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and unlawful imprisonment.

That lawsuit was dismissed in January 2023 after Smithline’s lawyer dropped the case and she missed a deadline to notify the court if she had a new lawyer.

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But People has published a declaration filed to court on Thursday (local time) in which Smithline alleges Manson’s former girlfriend Evan Rachel Wood pressured her into making the accusations.

In the document, Smithline states she had a brief and consensual relationship with Manson, but a decade later “succumbed to pressure from Ms Wood and her associates to make accusations of rape and assault against Mr Warner that were not true”.

Smithline said when she first spoke to Wood and her girlfriend Illma Gore in 2020 that she denied any abuse at the hands of Manson, but that Wood suggested she had “repressed” the memories.

”Eventually I started to believe that what I was repeatedly told happened to Ms Wood and [Game of Throne actor Esmé Bianco] also happened to me.”

The document also claims the statement posted on Smithline’s Instagram account in 2021 “contained untrue statements about Mr Warner, including that there was violence and non-consensual sexual activity in our brief relationship, and that I had repressed memories of the same”.

It also states: “There was no branding or cutting experienced during the brief relationship and certainly no Marilyn Manson initials carved on my body.”

Smithline also claimed her lawyer, Jay Ellwanger, filed the lawsuit against Manson without reviewing it with her and that the complaint contained “untrue statements” about the musician.

In the signed statement, she said she did not receive money from Warner and does not intend to refile a lawsuit or press criminal charges as Manson “did not ever assault or abuse me”.

“Looking back, I feel I was manipulated by Ms Wood, Ms Gore, Ms Bianco and Mr Ellwanger to spread publicly false accusations of abuse against Mr Warner.”

In an email to Variety, Ellwanger denied the claims, stating that “the specific allegations in the declaration regarding my representation of Ms Smithline are categorically and verifiably false”.

Wood’s representatives have also denied claims that she pressured Smithline, claiming it was Smithline who first contacted Wood.

“It’s unfortunate that the harassment and threats Ashley received after filing her federal lawsuit appear to have pressured her to change her testimony.”

Manson is currently suing Wood and Gore for defamation, claiming they maliciously adversely affected his career with the allegations, and has accused them of recruiting other women to make false allegations.

Lawyers for Wood and Gore have filed a motion to throw out the claims, arguing there is no evidence that Wood or Gore pressured anyone.

Smithline’s signed declaration was filed by Manson’s lawyer, as evidence that both women did pressure women to make false allegations.

The motion will be heard on April 11 (local time).

Where to get help

• Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00, click link for local helplines.

• Victim Support 0800 842 846.

• Safetalk text 4334, phone 0800 044 334 webchat safetotalk.nz or email support@safetotalk.nz.

• The Harbour Online support and information for people affected by sexual abuse.

• Women’s Refuge 0800 733 843

• Male Survivors Aotearoa Helplines across NZ, click to find out more (males only).

• If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.

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