Marilyn Manson fined for simple assault charge involving concert videographer

At his 2019 show at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, video footage captured Manson allegedly blowing his nose on and spitting at a concert videographer. Four years later, the shock rocker appeared in court today, pleading no contest to one of the two misdemeanour simple assault charges.

Rejecting Manson’s desire to appear via video chat for the hearing, a judge at Belknap Superior Court in Laconia, NH fined Manson for the single misdemeanour charge of simple assault. Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, will be sentenced to 20 hours of community service and fined a little more than 1,400 dollars (€1131) as part of the plea deal.

A no contest plea means the singer is not admitting guilt over the incident; prosecutors agreed to dismiss the other charge, which alleged that Manson also spat on videographer Susan Fountain, who did not appear in court. According to a police affidavit, Manson came up to Fountain in the venue’s photography pit, put his face up to her camera and spat at her.

In a statement regarding the incident, Fountain shared that Manson’s alleged assault was “the most disgusting thing a human being could have done.” Initially, the singer pleaded not guilty to the charges in 2021, with his lawyer arguing that videographers agree to expose themselves to “incidental contact” with bodily fluids.

“The defendant’s performance for the past twenty years are well known to include shocking and evocative antics similar to those that occurred here,” stated lawyer Kent Barker. “The alleged victim consented to exposing herself to potential contact with sweat, saliva and phlegm in close quarters.”

As part of his plea deal, Manson must remain arrest-free and alert police of any New Hampshire performances for the next two years. The judge also agreed to allow the singer to serve his 20 hours of community service in California, due by February 2, 2024. Manson alluded to a desire to work with people in recovery as part of his court-ordered service.

If the singer had gone to trial on the charges, each could have resulted in a jail sentence of less than a year and a higher fine if convicted.

Evan Rachel Wood and Marilyn Manson

Manson cemented himself as a provocative rockstar in the ‘90s, known for his few hit singles and his controversial behaviour. The court hearing in New Hampshire today is one of the 54-year-old singer's many run-ins with the law over the past few years. Most recently, in May of this year, a California judge rejected Manson’s defamation lawsuit against his former partner, actress Evan Rachel Wood, over her allegations of sexual and physical abuse against the singer.

Several named and unnamed women have come forth to allege abuse at the hands of Manson over the past few years, including a suit filed by Game Of Thrones actress Esme Bianco. It is yet to be determined how the defamation suit will play out.