Marilyn Manson's case against Evan Rachel Wood partially dismissed by California judge

Marilyn Manson's defamation case against actor Evan Rachel Wood has taken a hit after a California judge dismissed most of the musician's claims. Manson had filed the suit in March of this year after Wood accused him of abusing her during their relationship. However, Judge Teresa A. Beaudet cited California's anti-SLAPP statute and the protection of individual free speech while granting Wood's special motion to strike in part. Manson's lawyers' attempts to discredit Wood by claiming she had written a fake FBI letter and pressured women to make false allegations against Manson, were among the claims dismissed.

The case can continue on the remaining counts, but Manson's team plan to appeal the decision. The defamation case came a year after Wood publicly accused Manson of abusing and "grooming" her during their relationship. Several others have also come forward with allegations of abuse, and Manson has lost his record label, TV gigs and CAA representation as a result.

A number of cases and claims against Manson have been dropped, settled, or dismissed over the past year.