Judge Dismisses Child Sex Charges Against Timothy Busfield Over Misconduct

A New Mexico judge dismissed a child sexual contact indictment against actor Timothy Busfield on Friday. The judge cited prosecutorial misconduct before the grand jury.

• 4 counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor were dismissed.
• 6 years in prison was the possible penalty per count, prosecutors said.
• Twin boys' parents alleged touching on The Cleaning Lady set in Albuquerque.
• Busfield, 69, has denied the allegations, calling them lies driven by revenge.

Why it matters: The judge found prosecutors improperly kept witnesses from grand jurors. That process let the case skip a preliminary hearing on evidence.

• Defense played audio of grand jurors asking to hear more witnesses.
• Attorney Amanda Fayerberg said prosecutors wrongly told jurors subpoenas were needed.
• District Attorney Greer Staley said Busfield improperly steered jurors during testimony.

How 32 sources split on this story

What’s next: New Mexico prosecutors may file new charges. They have not yet indicated their plans.

• Will the Bernalillo County District Attorney's office seek a new indictment?
• How would the boys' early police interviews, which defense says contained denials, weigh in any retrial?