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Judge rules Busfield can await trial outside jail
Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield will remain free while facing charges of sexually abusing two boys on the set of The Cleaning Lady, a New Mexico judge decided Tuesday.
Allegations and arrest
Busfield, 68, turned himself in to Albuquerque authorities last week after a warrant accused him of grooming and abusing two minors during production of the Fox crime drama. Court documents state the boys, who called him "Uncle Tim," reported inappropriate touching over several years, including incidents on set.
One child told investigators the abuse began at age seven and that he stayed silent out of fear Busfield "would get mad." The actor faces two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse.
Courtroom arguments
Prosecutors urged detention, citing a "pattern" of misconduct and questioning the reliability of a psychosexual risk assessment Busfield completed. Deputy District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch argued that offenders need not be pedophiles to commit such crimes.
"It doesn't matter who he's attracted to. We know that all different types of sex offenders prey on different demographics."
Savannah Brandenburg-Koch, Deputy District Attorney
Defense attorney Amber Fayerberg countered that the allegations were "manufactured," pointing to over 70 character letters and a passed polygraph test. She claimed the boys were victimized by their parents, not Busfield, and that the actor had already lost agency representation and film roles due to the accusations.
"He has no power. He is persona non grata, and that's not because he did anything wrong... that's because of the world we live in."
Amber Fayerberg, Busfield's attorney
Conditions of release
Judge David A. Murphy ordered Busfield released on his own recognizance without bail, requiring him to attend all court dates and check in with New Mexico pretrial services. The actor, who resides out of state, is barred from contacting witnesses or minors involved in the case but faces no travel restrictions.
Background and next steps
Busfield, known for roles in Thirtysomething, Field of Dreams, and The West Wing, has denied the charges. His wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, was visibly upset in court during the ruling. A trial date has not been scheduled.
Defense lawyer Larry Stein suggested the accusations stemmed from retaliation after the boys were fired from The Cleaning Lady, an assertion prosecutors dispute.
