Marilyn Manson’s faced a number of accusations from former flings who accused him of heinous acts. However, one of his accusers, Ashley Morgan Smithline, recanted her statements in a recent court filing. Smithline accused Manson of rape and abuse during their relationship in the early 2000s shortly after others emerged with similar accusations. Earlier this month, she filed documents to court rescinding her claims, alleging that she faced pressure to publicly call out Manson from other accusers, such as Evan Rachel Wood and her girlfriend, Ilma Gore.
Smithline alleged Evan Rachel Wood and others manipulated her into making these claims against the rockstar. “I succumbed to pressure from Evan Rachel Wood and her associates to make accusations of rape and assault against [Manson] that were not true,” she said in a court filing. She also explicitly stated that she and Manson had a “brief, consensual sexual relationship.” While her claims have been previously corroborated by others, she claimed she was “repeatedly gaslit” into believing that she was abused.
Evan Rachel Woods Denies Smithline’s Claims
In a recent court filing, Evan Rachel Wood slammed Smithline’s claims, denying that she manipulated anyone into making statements. Wood provided screenshots of text messages, DMs, and even an alleged voicemail of Manson’s lawyer contacting Smithline. “I never pressured or manipulated Ashley Morgan Smithline to make any accusations against [Manson], and I certainly never pressured or manipulated her to make accusations that were not true,” wrote Wood. Among the screenshots she included is one text where Smithline allegedly wrote, “I can’t breathe. I have no reason to make this up!” in response to her story getting published.
Wood said that they only came in contact in 2019 after Smithline’s allegations against Manson. She said they met in person in October 2020 during a meeting with other alleged victims of Manson, where Smithline shared details of the abuse she endured. However, Smithline has since shut down Wood’s recent declaration in a statement to Rolling Stone. “Evan’s full of s—. That’s my comment. She’s saying anything she can to discredit me,” Smithline said. We’ll keep you posted on any further updates.