Marilyn Manson files appeal in Evan Rachel Wood defamation lawsuit

Marilyn Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, has filed an appeal against a judge’s decision to dismiss parts of his defamation and emotional distress lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood. According to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone, Manson’s legal team submitted a 92-page appeal in Los Angeles on Tuesday, more than two years after he initially took legal action against Wood, his former fiancée, and her friend, artist Illma Gore.

Manson originally sued Wood and Gore in March 2022, claiming they engaged in a "malicious campaign to harm" him, following Wood’s public accusations in February 2021 that Manson had mentally, physically, and sexually abused her. Manson’s lawsuit alleged that Wood and Gore “recruited, pressured, and coached others to make heinous, untrue accusations” against him, among other claims. However, a judge dismissed a significant portion of these claims last May following anti-SLAPP motions filed by Wood and Gore and ordered Manson to pay nearly $500,000 in attorney fees.

In the appeal, Manson’s lawyers focus on a purportedly forged letter from a supposed FBI agent, which they claim was used by Wood to create the false impression that Manson was under federal investigation. They argue that this letter was used to recruit others to make false accusations against him.

Wood’s attorney, Michael Kump, responded to the appeal in a statement to Rolling Stone, saying, “Warner’s appeal simply rehashes the same meritless claims which the trial court threw out. As Ms. Wood testified under oath, she did not fabricate or forge the FBI letter.”

While parts of Manson’s case have been dismissed, other aspects, including allegations of hacking and impersonation, are still headed to trial.