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,” where he was accused of criminal sexual contact with a child. The judge cited errors and misconduct by the prosecution that affected the grand jury process as the reasons for dismissing the charges. Busfield, who has consistently denied the accusations, claimed they were falsehoods driven by a desire for revenge.
The incident in question occurred while Busfield was directing the TV series “The Cleaning Lady” between 2022 and 2024. Allegations arose from the parents of twin boys who were part of the show, asserting that Busfield had inappropriately touched the children on the set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. One of the boys reported to authorities that Busfield had touched his private areas over his clothing when he was seven and eight years old on different occasions. His twin brother also mentioned being touched by Busfield but did not provide specific details, fearing consequences if he spoke out.
After voluntarily surrendering and being released pending trial, Busfield was indicted by a grand jury, alleging multiple instances of inappropriate touching of one of the boys. However, Busfield’s legal team argued that the children initially told law enforcement that there was no inappropriate touching by Busfield and accused the parents of influencing their statements after the boys lost their roles on the show.
In response to the indictment, Busfield’s defense team contended that prosecutors had overlooked the lack of evidence and obstructed witness testimonies during the grand jury proceedings. The defense also highlighted that Busfield’s attempts to present favorable witnesses and evidence were met with resistance. Busfield expressed the impact of the accusations on his life and career, vehemently denying the allegations made against him.
The possible penalties for each count in the indictment were six years in prison, with the prosecution considering whether to pursue a new indictment in light of the judge’s decision to dismiss the case.
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