Concord, New Hampshire –
Marilyn Manson will not contest the 2019 New Hampshire concert for blowing his nose at a videographer, according to legal filings.
The rocker, whose full name is Brian Warner, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault that stemmed from an encounter at the New Hampshire Bank Pavilion in Guildford on August 19, 2019.
Manson plans to challenge only one charge, and prosecutors plan to dismiss the other charge in a fully negotiated motion, according to a letter of intent filed Monday. A no-challenge statement means Manson will not contest the charges or plead guilty.
Manson will face a $1,200 suspension fine and 20 hours of community service within six months. Manson is also required to remain free from arrest and to inform local police about performing in New Hampshire for two years.
A judge has to accept the petition, which is expected to be filed in Belknap County Superior Court on Thursday. This replaces the scheduled final pretrial hearings prior to the scheduled Aug. 7 trial.
It’s unclear if Manson will be required to appear in court or if he will be allowed to participate via video. His attorney, Kent Barker, said Tuesday it would be up to the judge.
According to a police affidavit, Manson approached videographer Susan Fountain in the stage pit area of the venue, held her face close to her camera and spit “big rosy” at her. She got saliva on her hands. He is also suspected of approaching his girlfriend for the second time and blowing his nose on her arm and hand.
According to the notice, prosecutors planned to drop the charges stemming from their first encounter.
Manson initially pleaded not guilty in 2021. His lawyers said at the time that it was common for the type of filming Fountain was doing to expose videographers to “accidental contact” with bodily fluids.
“It is well known that defendant’s performances over the past two decades have included shocking and evocative antics similar to what happened here,” Barker wrote. “The alleged victim agreed that he could come into contact with sweat, saliva and phlegm at close range.”
Barker also said Manson will argue that the contact associated with spitting and sneezing was unintentional.
If Manson were tried for these charges, he could face up to a year in prison for each offense and a $2,000 fine if convicted.
Manson has also faced abuse accusations in recent years unrelated to the New Hampshire allegations. he denied wrongdoing.
In May, a California judge dismissed the majority of the lawsuit against Manson’s former fiancée, “Westworld” actor Evan Rachel Wood, accusing Manson of sexually and physically abusing other women during their relationship. Allegedly, he fabricated public allegations that he encouraged
Manson’s lawsuit, which was filed last year, saw Wood and another named defendant, Irma Gore, defame Manson, intentionally inflict emotional distress on him, and abuse music, television, and television. , which he claims derailed his film career.
In recent years, several women have sued Manson for alleged sexual and other abuse. Most of them have either been dismissed or settled, including one filed by Game of Thrones actor Esme Bianco.
The Associated Press typically doesn’t name people unless they come forward publicly claiming they’ve been sexually abused.
