New Mexico court dismisses child abuse case against actor Timothy Busfield

New Mexico state court judge Joseph Montano dismissed child abuse charges against actor and director Timothy Busfield, citing that the prosecution did not maintain a fair and impartial attitude during the grand jury process. Following the decision, it remains unclear whether prosecutors will file new charges.

In the trial held in New Mexico, Judge Joseph Montano stated that the prosecution misdirected grand jurors regarding procedures for hearing additional witnesses. Noting that the prosecutor erroneously informed jurors that at least eight of them had to approve for a witness to be called, Montano emphasized that the prosecution did not act fairly and impartially. The judge stated that this situation resulted in the unilateral concealment of witnesses requested by the jurors.

Timothy Busfield, the 69-year-old actor and director, had categorically denied allegations that he inappropriately touched twin siblings on the Albuquerque set of the Fox series The Cleaning Lady, maintaining that the accusations were false. The investigation, opened in January, alleged that the children were subjected to this situation over a two-year period when they were seven and eight years old. Busfield's attorney, Amber Fayerberg, stated that her client was relieved and grateful after reading the court's decision.

Judge Montano noted that it remains open for prosecutors to bring new charges against Busfield. Meanwhile, the prosecution's office stated in a release on Friday that a decision has not yet been made on whether a new indictment will be prepared. Timothy Busfield is known for his role as a White House correspondent in the series The West Wing and his performance in Thirtysomething.