At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield is held without bond after a child sex-abuse indictment.
- His wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, will testify at the upcoming hearing.
- Charges stem from alleged misconduct on the set of The Cleaning Lady.
- Why it matters: The case could set a precedent for how Hollywood handles sexual-abuse claims.
A brief overview of the case: Timothy Busfield, best known for his roles in The West Wing, Field of Dreams, and Thirtysomething, is detained following a child-sex-abuse indictment. His wife, Melissa Gilbert, will attend the hearing and may speak in his defense.
Background
Timothy Busfield was ordered held without bond during his first court appearance last week. A warrant was issued earlier this month for two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The alleged incidents occurred on the set of the television series The Cleaning Lady, directed by Busfield and filmed in Albuquerque.
Busfield has called the allegations a lie, citing a video he shared before surrendering to authorities. He maintains that the accusations are false.
Charges and Evidence
The criminal complaint alleges:
- A 7-year-old boy was touched on private areas over his clothing on one occasion.
- An 8-year-old boy was touched again in a similar manner.
- The boy’s twin brother also reported being touched, though he did not specify the location.
The complaint also references a therapy session in which one of the boys disclosed that he was inappropriately touched by the show’s director. Police obtained these records during the investigation.
On Monday, Busfield’s attorneys submitted two brief audio recordings of initial police interviews. In those interviews, the children said Busfield did not touch them in private areas. The attorneys argue that a denial is materially different from a mere absence of disclosure.
The attorneys also highlighted:
- A history of fraud alleged by the boys’ parents.
- An investigation by Warner Bros. that found the allegations unfounded.
- Letters vouching for Busfield’s character.
- An independent polygraph test that Busfield passed.
Legal Strategy
New Mexico is one of the few states that allows polygraph evidence in criminal cases, but a judge must decide whether it is admissible. Attorneys for Busfield emphasize that the allegations surfaced only after the boys lost their roles on the TV show, suggesting a financial and retaliatory motive.
The defense’s filings argue that the complaint mischaracterizes the police interviews and that the evidence presented by the prosecution is insufficient.
Family and Public Response
A representative for Melissa Gilbert told Daniel J. Whitman that she will attend Tuesday’s detention hearing. In a letter of support filed in court, Gilbert praised her husband:
> “He has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known. He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion,” she wrote.
Gilbert also expressed personal anguish, stating:
> “As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart. I am relying on you to protect him for me.”
Her presence at the hearing signals strong family support, but the legal team remains cautious about the strength of the prosecution’s case.
Next Steps
The next court date is scheduled for Tuesday, when the judge will decide whether to release Busfield on bond. If the judge denies bond, Busfield will remain in custody until the trial. The hearing will also determine the admissibility of the polygraph evidence and whether the police interviews can be used as exculpatory evidence.
Both sides have prepared for a potentially high-profile trial. The outcome may influence how similar cases are handled in the entertainment industry.
Key Takeaways
- Timothy Busfield faces serious charges, with a hearing set for Tuesday.
- His wife, Melissa Gilbert, will testify in his defense.
- Evidence includes police interviews, a polygraph test, and a Warner Bros. investigation.
- The case could set a precedent for the use of polygraph evidence in New Mexico.
- The prosecution’s claims hinge on alleged misconduct on a TV set, while the defense argues retaliation and fraud.
The case remains in early stages, and the court’s decision on bond and evidence admissibility will shape the next phase of the proceedings.
