A judge in New Mexico has thrown out a case against actor Timothy Busfield, known for his roles in “West Wing” and “Field of Dreams,” which alleged criminal sexual contact with a child. The dismissal was based on prosecutorial misconduct and errors that undermined the grand jury process. State District Judge Joseph Montano granted a defense motion to dismiss the charges, noting the flaws in the case.
Busfield has consistently denied the accusations, labeling them as falsehoods driven by a desire for revenge. It remains unclear whether prosecutors will pursue a new indictment following this development.
The allegations arose while Busfield was directing the TV series “The Cleaning Lady” between 2022 and 2024. Parents of twin boys who were part of the show claimed that Busfield had inappropriately touched their children on the set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. One of the boys reported to the Albuquerque Police Department that Busfield touched him inappropriately on two occasions when he was seven and eight years old.
The boy’s twin brother also stated that Busfield had touched him but did not provide details out of fear of getting into trouble. Busfield voluntarily surrendered and was released pending trial, with the judge noting no prior history of such conduct involving children.
The grand jury indictment was issued shortly after the accusations, alleging that Busfield had engaged in inappropriate touching multiple times. The defense argued that the children initially denied any inappropriate behavior by Busfield and accused their parents of influencing them to make incriminating statements.
Busfield’s legal team contended that the prosecution overlooked the lack of evidence and obstructed the grand jury process. They criticized the prosecutors for failing to present key witnesses and evidence to the jury. In response, the District Attorney defended the prosecution’s actions, claiming the defense had not followed proper procedures and suggesting Busfield had manipulated the grand jury during his testimony.
During the court proceedings, Busfield expressed the impact of the case on his life and family, noting the negative repercussions on his career. He vehemently refuted the allegations, stating they were completely false. The indictment carried potential prison time for each count, with the possibility of enhancement.
The decision to dismiss the charges against Busfield marks a significant turn in the legal battle that has been ongoing since the initial accusations surfaced.