Trying Times for Marilyn Manson

Shock rocker ordered to stand trial in battle with former bandmate

By Josh Grossberg Oct 03, 2008 8:52 PMTags
Marilyn MansonGreetsia Tent/Getty Images

Marilyn Manson's just been booked for an exclusive engagement—in an L.A. courtroom.

A judge has set a Nov. 3 trial date in dueling lawsuits between the mascara-favoring shock-rocker and former bandmate Madonna Wayne Gacy.

It's up to a jury to decide whether Manson, aka Brian Warner, owes Gacy, aka Stephen Bier Jr., $20 million in back pay.

The keyboardist sued the Antichrist Superstar singer in 2007, alleging Manson spent band earnings to buy "sick and disturbing" Nazi paraphernalia and taxidermy—as well as a $150,000 engagement ring Manson gave to his now ex-wife, Dita Von Teese.

Bier, 44, hooked up with Manson in 1996 and claims he left the band in 2007. Manson, 39, filed a countersuit in December claiming he dumped Gacy for breach of contract and doesn't owe a penny.