Marilyn Manson pleads not guilty in minor assault case
Rocker Marilyn Manson pleaded not guilty through an attorney in an assault case for allegedly approaching a videographer during his 2019 concert in New Hampshire, spitting and blowing snot at her.
Manson, whose real name is Brian Hugh Warner, surrendered to police in Los Angeles in July in connection with a 2019 arrest warrant in the case. The allegations were detailed in a police affidavit that was released along with a criminal complaint.
Manson was charged with two misdemeanors of simple assault stemming from the alleged altercation on August 19, 2019 at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford. Each of the lesser charges can result in a sentence of less than a year in jail and a $ 2,000 fine if he is convicted.
An arraignment hearing was scheduled for Thursday, but an attorney for Manson presented a plea of innocence and a waiver of arraignment in Laconia District Court. A hearing on the status of the case was set for December 27.
Susan Fountain, a videographer, was in the pit area of the stage at the time of the alleged assault. Her company, Metronome Media, was hired by the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion for the concert season.
According to the affidavit, Manson walked over to Fountain, brought his face close to her camera and spat a "big gulp" at her. The camerawoman spit Manson's saliva on both hands.
Manson reportedly returned a second time, plugged one nostril and blew through the other in the direction of Fountain. Fountain left her camera and went to the bathroom to wash his hands and arms, which had Manson's body fluids on them.
