Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins discussed his ongoing friendship with Marilyn Manson during an appearance on the New York Times’ Popcast, explaining his decision to maintain the relationship despite multiple allegations of sexual assault and abuse directed at Manson.
Corgan stated that as a Christian, he feels obligated to support his friends while maintaining his own critical perspective. He referenced the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s investigation, which concluded earlier this year without pursuing criminal charges. According to Corgan, he possessed knowledge of details not made public and ultimately concluded that Manson was not guilty of the charges he faced. He emphasized that the prosecutor’s decision not to pursue the case aligned with his personal assessment of the person he knows.
Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, has faced accusations from multiple women including actress Evan Rachel Wood, who made her allegations public in 2021. Other accusers include actress Esmé Bianco, model Ashley Morgan Smithline, and former assistant Ashley Walters. Manson has denied all allegations. The District Attorney’s office indicated that statutes of limitations had expired on domestic violence claims and that prosecutors could not establish proof of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt.
Corgar also noted family connections linking him to Manson, mentioning that Manson’s wife’s twin sister is married to Smashing Pumpkins member James Iha. He framed his position as a personal choice regarding his associations, stating he did not want external pressure dictating his friendships. Corgar indicated he would support appropriate legal consequences if wrongdoing were proven but expressed concern about what he characterized as mob-like judgment.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI