While it's hardly the most heinous of the crimes Marilyn Manson has allegedly committed, it was definitely gross and rude. A New Hampshire judge has sentenced the disgraced shock rocker to complete 20 hours of community service and pay a fine of $1,400 USD over a 2019 incident that involved the artist born Brian Warner spitting and blowing his nose on a cameraperson.
As per the police affidavit (via the Associated Press), Warner was performing at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, NH, on August 19, 2019, when he approached videographer Susan Fountain, who was working in the stage pit area.
He allegedly put his face close up to her camera and spat a "big lougee," striking her with saliva on both hands. The performer later approached her again, kneeling and covering up one nostril ahead of blowing out the other, getting snot all over Fountain's arms and hands.
The police sergeant who reviewed concert footage claimed in the document that Warner blew "a significant amount of mucous" at Fountain. Apparently the footage also shows the musician "point and laugh at Fountain as she gets down and walks away."
After initially pleading not guilty to two misdemeanour counts of simple assault, Warner got the spitting charge dismissed and pleaded no contest to nose-blowing in the plea agreement. He does not admit guilt but avoids taking the case to trial, which would have resulted in jail time and larger fines for both charges.
The judge described the musician's actions as "heinous," but approved his request to complete his community service in California. Warner must have proof of such by February 4.
"I understand this was not a big criminal charge to begin with, but I was hoping that the defendant would receive a sentence that would make him think twice before doing something like this again," Fountain, who has had a 30-year career, shared in a statement read in court yesterday (September 18). "In all the years I've worked with people, I've never been humiliated or treated the way I was by this defendant. For him to spit on me and blow his nose on me was the most disgusting thing a human being has ever done."
Warner is also required to avoid getting arrested and alert local authorities about any performances in the state for the next two years.
As per the police affidavit (via the Associated Press), Warner was performing at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, NH, on August 19, 2019, when he approached videographer Susan Fountain, who was working in the stage pit area.
He allegedly put his face close up to her camera and spat a "big lougee," striking her with saliva on both hands. The performer later approached her again, kneeling and covering up one nostril ahead of blowing out the other, getting snot all over Fountain's arms and hands.
The police sergeant who reviewed concert footage claimed in the document that Warner blew "a significant amount of mucous" at Fountain. Apparently the footage also shows the musician "point and laugh at Fountain as she gets down and walks away."
After initially pleading not guilty to two misdemeanour counts of simple assault, Warner got the spitting charge dismissed and pleaded no contest to nose-blowing in the plea agreement. He does not admit guilt but avoids taking the case to trial, which would have resulted in jail time and larger fines for both charges.
The judge described the musician's actions as "heinous," but approved his request to complete his community service in California. Warner must have proof of such by February 4.
"I understand this was not a big criminal charge to begin with, but I was hoping that the defendant would receive a sentence that would make him think twice before doing something like this again," Fountain, who has had a 30-year career, shared in a statement read in court yesterday (September 18). "In all the years I've worked with people, I've never been humiliated or treated the way I was by this defendant. For him to spit on me and blow his nose on me was the most disgusting thing a human being has ever done."
Warner is also required to avoid getting arrested and alert local authorities about any performances in the state for the next two years.
