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Evan Rachel Wood Responds to DA’s Decision on Marilyn Manson Case
Evan Rachel Wood expressed her unwavering support for fellow survivors after the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced it would not pursue criminal charges against Marilyn Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner. Wood’s remarks followed the announcement, highlighting her pride in those who came forward with their stories.
Wood was among the initial accusers of Manson, alleging that he groomed her during her teenage years and subjected her to severe abuse throughout their tumultuous relationship from 2006 to 2011. This prompted several other women to join in with their allegations, leading to a criminal investigation into Warner, who has consistently denied all claims against him.
On January 24, the Los Angeles DA’s office revealed that the allegations were too old to prosecute under current laws, as the domestic violence incidents were beyond the statute of limitations. Additionally, they indicated that the evidence related to sexual assault claims did not meet the threshold for prosecution.
In her response, Wood stated, “Evidence of violent crimes should not have an expiration date. I am grateful for the work law enforcement has done, and I am endlessly proud of all the survivors who risked everything to protect others by speaking the truth.”
Wood noted her awareness of the limitations imposed by statutes of limitations, which fueled her advocacy for legislative change. “We always knew that the statute of limitations would be a barrier, which is why we created the Phoenix Act — so that other victims wouldn’t have to experience this outcome,” she added.
The Phoenix Act, which Wood highlighted, was enacted in California in 2020, extending the statute of limitations for domestic violence cases from three to five years. Wood played a significant role in supporting this legislation, even testifying before the California State Senate in 2019, discussing her experiences with abuse without yet publicly naming Manson.
However, Wood acknowledged that the Phoenix Act could not retroactively apply to her allegations, which were temporal to events that occurred prior to the law’s passage. “I hope this shines a light on why it’s so important to advocate for better laws,” she remarked.
Following the DA’s announcement, Manson’s attorney, Howard King, expressed satisfaction with the decision. “We are very pleased that, after a thorough and incredibly lengthy review of all of the actual evidence, the District Attorney has concluded what we knew and expressed from the start — Brian Warner is innocent,” King stated.
Another accuser, actress Esmé Bianco, expressed her profound disappointment over the DA’s decision. Addressing Warner directly, she said, “By you dragging me through hell, I discovered the unstoppable force of my own power. I learnt how strong, and brave and bold I really am. I emerged as a Phoenix from the ashes that you left of my life. You also know the truth, and may you endeavor to find peace with that.”
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