Judge Grants Release to Emmy-Winning Actor in Child Sex Abuse Case
A New Mexico judge has ordered the release of actor Timothy Busfield from custody as he awaits trial on serious child sexual abuse charges. The decision came during a detention hearing at the Bernalillo County Courthouse in Albuquerque, where Busfield appeared handcuffed in an orange jail uniform.
Courtroom Drama as Wife Watches Proceedings
State District Court Judge David Murphy ruled that Busfield could be released on his own recognizance, pending the outcome of his trial. The Emmy award-winning actor, known for roles in The West Wing and Field of Dreams, will be supervised by pretrial services in Albuquerque but has permission to leave the state to return home.
Busfield's wife, actress Melissa Gilbert of Little House on the Prairie fame, watched the proceedings from the courtroom gallery. Gilbert appeared tearful as she left the courthouse following the judge's decision to release her husband. She has been listed as a potential witness in the case.
Serious Allegations and Legal Arguments
The charges stem from allegations that Busfield inappropriately touched a minor while working as a director on the set of the television series The Cleaning Lady. Albuquerque police issued an arrest warrant earlier this month charging Busfield with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
According to the criminal complaint, a child reported that Busfield touched him on private areas over his clothing on two separate occasions when he was 7 and 8 years old. The boy's twin brother also told authorities he was touched by Busfield, though he didn't specify where the contact occurred.
Prosecution Presents Strong Case for Detention
Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch argued vigorously for Busfield's continued detention, describing the evidence against him as strong and specific. She told the court that the boys' allegations were supported by medical findings and their therapist's records, and that their accounts were detailed without exaggeration.
"The boys' allegations are supported by medical findings and by their therapist," Brandenburg-Koch stated. "Their accounts were specific and not exaggerated."
The prosecution also presented what they described as a documented pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, and grooming behavior by Busfield spanning three decades. Prosecutors expressed concerns about witness intimidation and retaliation, noting that GPS monitoring wouldn't prevent Busfield from contacting potential witnesses or being around children.
Defense Challenges Allegations and Presents Counter-Evidence
Busfield's legal team mounted a vigorous defense, submitting two brief audio recordings of initial police interviews in which the children reportedly stated that Busfield did not touch them in private areas. The defense argued that these recordings represented unequivocal denials rather than mere failures to disclose abuse.
The defense also suggested financial and retaliatory motives behind the allegations, noting that they emerged after the boys lost their roles in the television show. Court filings detailed what the attorneys described as a history of fraud by both the boys' parents, and cited a Warner Bros investigation that reportedly found the allegations unfounded.
In a significant development, Busfield's attorneys revealed that he had passed an independent polygraph test. While New Mexico is among the few states that allow polygraph evidence in criminal cases, judges maintain final authority over whether such evidence can be admitted, with strict requirements governing its use.
Previous Court Appearance and Public Statements
Busfield was initially ordered held without bond during his first court appearance last week. Before turning himself in to authorities, the actor shared a video in which he called the allegations complete lies.
The case continues to develop as both sides prepare for trial, with Busfield now released under court supervision while the legal process unfolds. The actor's release conditions include pretrial supervision and restrictions on his movements, though he has been granted permission to return to his home outside New Mexico.
