A New Mexico judge faults prosecutors' grand jury conduct but leaves open the possibility of new charges

Published October 17, 2026 2:55PM (EDT)

"Little House on the Prairie" star Melissa Gilbert continues to show support for her husband, actor and director Timothy Busfield, after his charges of sexual abuse of a minor are dismissed in a New Mexico court. (Bruce Glikas / Getty Images)

A New Mexico judge has dismissed child sexual abuse charges against Timothy Busfield , best known for playing Elliot Weston on the ABC drama “thirtysomething.” But the ruling, which cited prosecutorial misconduct, does not prevent prosecutors from seeking a new indictment against the actor.

State District Judge Joseph Montano ruled Friday that prosecutors improperly prevented grand jurors from hearing testimony from witnesses they had requested, compromising the integrity of the proceedings.

“The prosecuting attorney failed to act in a fair and impartial manner,” Montano wrote , finding that the state’s actions effectively…