Judge Issues Ruling on Timothy Busfield’s Rel

Actor and director Timothy Busfield, known for The West Wing and

Thirtysomething, was released from a New Mexico detention facility while awaiting trial on child abuse-related charges.

A Bernalillo County judge granted release on his own recognizance,

reversing an earlier decision to hold him without bond, allowing Busfield to return home under court supervision.

Busfield faces two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse,

tied to alleged conduct with minor cast members while directing The Cleaning Lady.

He has denied the allegations and says he will contest them in court.

At the detention hearing, prosecutors argued the seriousness of the charges warranted continued custody.

Judge David Murphy said the evidence was “neutral” at this stage and noted Busfield has no prior criminal record.

The court ruled Busfield does not pose an undue risk if released under strict conditions, including supervision by pretrial services and prohibitions on unsupervised contact with minors.

A preliminary hearing will determine whether the case proceeds to trial. No finding of guilt has been made.