Judge dismisses child sexual abuse charges against actor Timothy Busfield

Judge Joseph Montano of New Mexico's Second Judicial District dismissed the four counts on Friday, ruling the prosecutor did not act fairly before the grand jury.

"The prosecuting attorney failed to act in a fair and impartial manner," the judge wrote, citing the handling of witnesses the grand jurors had asked to hear.

— Judge Joseph Montano

Background

Busfield, 69, had pleaded not guilty to criminal sexual contact with a minor on the set of the series The Cleaning Lady in Albuquerque, and has always denied the allegations.

Prosecutors can bring new charges, and the district attorney's office says it is weighing its options.