Actor Timothy Busfield’s defense team is asking a New Mexico court to throw out the indictment against its client that was handed down in February.
The Emmy Award winner is charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under the age of 13. He denies any wrongdoing.
His attorneys now claim the case should be dropped because prosecutors didn’t give jury members information that might’ve convinced them not to recommend charging Busfield with any crimes.
“Consistent with its conduct during its investigation, Mr. Busfiend’s arrest and through the detention hearing process, the state has abdicated its role in administering justice and instead pursued an indictment against Mr. Busefield at the cost of the evidence, Mr. Busfield’s rights and the independence and integrity of the grand jury,” his attorneys at Fayerberg Dodd LLC. wrote in a lengthy filing submitted Monday.
The former “Thirtysomething” star is accused of misconduct involving two young actors the set of “The Cleaning Lady” while filming in Albuquerque.
The twin boys’ parents claim Busfield made inappropriate contact with their sons between November 2022 and the spring of 2024. Busfield and his wife, actor Melissa Gilbert, confirmed they had a relationship with the accusers, but deny any impropriety.
Busfield’s team argues that prosecutors didn’t present the grand jury with evidence showing the allegations against their client are “patently false, implausible and the result of an expressed vendetta against him.”
The defendant told investigators he suspects his accusers’ mother may be looking to settle a score after her boys were no longer on the show.
Defense lawyers note that an independent investigation by Warner Bros. found no misconduct by Busfled when he produced and directed episodes of “The Cleaning Lady.”
Prosecutors refute Busfield’s claim.
“The state is opposing defendant’s motion as no information was withheld from the grand jury. We will file a written response to the court,” the District Attorney’s office told the Daily News.
The filing was first reported by TMZ.