In brief
A New Mexico judge has thrown out the indictment against actor Timothy Busfield, citing prosecutorial errors. Busfield, known for roles in The West Wing and Field of Dreams, was charged in February over allegations from child actors on The Cleaning Lady. The dismissal follows the court’s finding that the grand jury process was flawed. The District Attorney’s office says it will review options for further action. Busfield remains acquitted for now.
On Friday (17 October), a judge in the Second Judicial District of New Mexico ruled that the indictment brought against actor Timothy Busfield was invalid. The court found that prosecutors failed to conduct the case fairly and used improper procedures, undermining the grand‑jury process.
Busfield, who earned an Emmy for his performance in The West Wing and appeared in films such as Field of Dreams, had been charged in February on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child. The allegations stem from his work on the New Mexico‑produced series The Cleaning Lady, where he served as director and producer.
According to the indictment, between 19 October 2022 and 10 September 2023, Busfield allegedly touched or applied force to the intimate parts of an unnamed boy under 13. The boys’ parents claimed the actor groomed and abused them, citing incidents such as being tickled in private areas. Busfield has denied all accusations and has maintained that the charges are retaliatory, following the dismissal of the boys from the show.
Seventeen months after yielding the indictment, the defense presented more than 70 letters of support and a positive polygraph test, which the court considered when deciding to dismiss the case. A spokesperson for the Office of the Second Judicial District Attorney said the office would review options on how to proceed.
Busfield had been taken into custody in January on a warrant issued for his arrest and was released pending trial after a judge ordered his release. He has not faced any further charges at this time.
