Last Friday, Marilyn Manson (real name Brian Warner) was let off the hook by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman when it was announced that the years-long domestic violence and sexual assault investigation involving the shock rocker was dropped. Officials decided the statute of limitations had expired and that there wasn’t enough evidence to continue the investigation.
It was a revelation that sent shock waves to everyone covering the lengthy legal battle, as well as all parties involved. And while most of the women in the case wished to remain anonymous and silent, actress spoke up about the result.
In a lengthy statement posted on her Instagram, Bianco loosed her feelings on the matter — and let’s just say she’s not too thrilled with the result.
“Whilst I am deeply disappointed by the decision of the District Attorney to not bring charges in the case against Brian Warner, I am sadly not surprised. 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.
“Once again, our justice system has failed survivors. Not the individual prosecutors and detectives who worked for years on this case, but the system that made them do so with one hand tied behind their collective backs. Seven years ago when I was faced for the first time with that failure, it set me out on a journey of advocacy and activism, but with that came a very clear directive. My healing and peace could not be reliant upon the outcome of a desperately broken system.
“I know the truth of what happened to me. It sits deeply rooted in my belly, unshakable, mine. No- one and nothing can take that away. And so to all the survivors reading this, who are being hit by yet another piece of stinging news and feeling hopeless or discouraged, let me remind you: you know your truth also. Let that be your anchor, for it is stronger than the bars of any prison.
“Using that truth as our guide we can draw strength to continue the fight for justice reform. Shine our light onto the dark realities of sexual violence and intimate partner abuse, so that we can not only understand it but end it. Strive to heal not only ourselves but the hurt people who hurt others. Our culture needs your love, compassion and bright light now more than ever. That is the truth.
“To Brian Warner, I say only this. 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.”
For those that don’t remember, Bianco was just one of several women who made sexual assault, rape, human trafficking, and other allegations against Manson. In her specific case, she claimed that Manson raped her “in or around May 2011,” “used drugs, force, and threats of force to coerce sexual acts from Ms. Bianco on multiple occasions,” “committed sexual acts” with her while she was unconscious or unable to consent, and sexually battered her, “spanking, biting, cutting, and whipping Ms. Bianco’s buttocks, breasts, and genitals… all without the consent of Plaintiff.”
She also claimed that Manson “violated the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act” by “bringing her from London to Los Angeles under the pretense that she would be acting in a music video that never came out and a film that was never made.” Her specific case was ultimately settled out of court.
As Billboard pointed out last week, the previous District Attorney George Gascón announced last October that “new evidence has emerged within the last few weeks” that would be added to the huge case file they’d already collected over the years. However, Hochman was eventually elected and now here we are just a few short months later.
In the wake of the D.A.’s decision, Manson’s attorney Howard King provided a statement to Billboard, praising Hochman’s 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.”
Manson still has some legal issues on the docket, but has since gone on to release his comeback album One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1 and announced a new headlining tour.
Source: www.metalsucks.net
