A judge in New Mexico has thrown out a case against Timothy Busfield, known for 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, emphasizing flaws in the handling of the case.
Busfield has consistently denied the accusations, attributing them to falsehoods driven by a desire for revenge. It remains uncertain whether prosecutors will pursue a new indictment following this decision.
The allegations stemmed from Busfield’s time directing the TV series “The Cleaning Lady” from 2022 to 2024. Parents of twin boys involved in the show alleged that Busfield inappropriately touched the children on set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The criminal complaint detailed instances where Busfield was accused of touching one of the boys inappropriately on multiple occasions.
Although the boy’s twin brother also claimed to have been touched by Busfield, he did not provide specifics and refrained from speaking up out of fear of repercussions. Busfield surrendered himself and was released pending trial, with the judge noting no prior history of similar allegations involving children.
Despite initial police interviews where the children denied Busfield’s inappropriate actions, the case proceeded to a grand jury indictment. Busfield’s defense team highlighted inconsistencies and accused the parents of coaching the children for incriminating statements.
During legal proceedings, Busfield’s attorneys argued that prosecutors overlooked the lack of evidence and obstructed witness testimonies. The defense contended that prosecutors misrepresented the need for subpoenas to call additional witnesses, leading to a biased grand jury process.
In his testimony, Busfield expressed the devastating impact of the accusations on his life and family, denying any wrongdoing vehemently. Prosecutors had initially stated that each charge in the indictment could carry a prison term of up to six years, with the possibility of enhancement.