A grand jury has indicted actor Timothy Busfield on multiple counts of criminal sexual contact of a child, according to the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office. The indictment follows the “West Wing” actor’s arrest in New Mexico last month on child sex abuse charges.
What Are the Specific Charges Against Timothy Busfield?
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman announced the indictment on Friday, stating Busfield faces multiple felony counts of criminal sexual contact of a child. The district attorney’s office emphasized in a statement that “protecting children remains a top priority” and that the office is “committed to doing everything possible to protect children and ensure justice for victims.” The specific number of counts was not detailed in the public announcement.
What Has Been the Defendant’s Response?
Busfield has not yet entered a formal plea in court. According to the initial criminal complaint, he denied the allegations when interviewed by investigators. His defense attorney, Larry Stein, stated the indictment was “not unexpected,” but sharply criticized the prosecution. “What is deeply concerning is that the District Attorney is choosing to proceed on a case that is fundamentally unsound and cannot be proven at trial,” Stein said, adding, “This prosecution appears driven by something other than the facts or the law.”
What Happened at the Detention Hearing?
After his arrest in January, Busfield was initially held without bond. Following an hours-long detention hearing, Judge David Murphy ordered his release on his own recognizance pending trial. Busfield’s compliance in turning himself in, his lack of criminal history, and the quality of the evidence at that point were all taken into consideration by the judge when deciding whether to release him.
What Are the Next Legal Steps?
The case will now proceed through the formal judicial process following the grand jury’s indictment. Busfield’s attorney, Larry Stein, stated his client “will fight these charges at every stage and looks forward to testing the State’s case in open court — where evidence matters — not behind closed doors.” The district attorney’s office will be required to present its evidence at trial to secure a conviction.
FAQ: The Timothy Busfield Indictment
Q: What is Timothy Busfield accused of?
A: He is accused of multiple counts of criminal sexual contact of a child, as detailed in a grand jury indictment.
Q: Has he pleaded guilty or not guilty?
A: He has not yet entered a plea. He previously denied the allegations to investigators.
Q: Is he currently in jail?
A: No. Following a detention hearing last month, a judge ordered his release on his own recognizance pending trial.
Q: What has his defense team said?
A: His attorney calls the case “fundamentally unsound,” claims the evidence has “fatal weaknesses,” and asserts the prosecution is not driven by facts or law.
Disclaimer: This is a developing story, updates may follow. The above information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
