Judge dismisses child sex abuse charges against actor Timothy Busfield

October 16, 2026 / 7:24 PM EDT / CBS/AP

A New Mexico judge has dismissed an indictment against "West Wing" and "Field of Dreams" actor Timothy Busfield that accused him of criminal sexual contact with a child, citing prosecutorial misconduct and errors that undermined the grand jury process.

State District Judge Joseph Montano granted a defense motion to toss the charges in a decision released Friday.

"The prosecuting attorney failed to act in a fair and impartial manner, including the failure to properly instruct the grand jury on the law for calling witnesses and in instructing the grand jury on a procedure that effectively withheld requested witnesses," Montano wrote in his ruling. "In doing so, the grand jury proceedings were conducted in a manner that violated grand jury statutes designed to protect the structural integrity of our grand jury system and the presumption of prejudice applies."

Busfield has repeatedly denied the allegations, describing them as lies motivated by revenge.

In a statement provided to CBS News Friday, Busfield's attorney Amber Fayerberg said that Busfield was "relieved and grateful."

"The grand jurors kept asking to hear from the people who were on set with him," Fayerberg said in her statement. "Those…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/