Timothy Busfield in ‘better mood’ after prison release, lawyer says

Timothy Busfield is in a better mood following a judge’s recent ruling granting him release on child sex abuse charges. This update comes after the actor-director was arrested earlier this month for alleged inappropriate sexual behavior with two underage child actors.

Following his release from a New Mexico prison on Tuesday, January 20, Busfield’s attorney provided an update on his client’s state of mind as he awaits an impending trial.

Timothy Busfield’s lawyer provides update on actor after his release

In an interview with PEOPLE, Larry Stein, Busfield’s attorney, told the outlet how the “Thirtysomething” star is doing after officially being released from prison.

Noting that Busfield and his wife Melissa Gilbert are currently “still in shock that this happened to them and they are still distressed,” he shared that the couple are “in better spirits than yesterday before their release.” Stein spoke about the next steps, adding, “We’re taking it one day at a time.”

Stein also told the outlet that the support Busfield has received since his arrest has been instrumental in gaining information about the case.

“We couldn’t have done this without people stepping forward to give us information. I’ve received completely unsolicited emails, calls and letters. We’ve done our job to try to pull ourselves together, but the outpouring of support and the number of people willing to put themselves on the line for him is truly remarkable, because it’s a very brave thing to do,” he said.

Stein admitted that the seriousness of the case led many people to withhold support, but he was grateful to those who did not.

“Just being associated with it and supporting it can unfortunately cause a number of people to have a negative opinion of you,” the lawyer said. “They are really putting their reputations and livelihoods on the line, and it shows how much they believe in Tim and the support he receives.”

Timothy Busfield released from police custody on conditions

Judge David A. Murray issued his decision to grant “The West Wing” star’s release from prison on Tuesday, Jan. 20, according to Deadline.

Before being taken away for release, Judge Murray informed Busfield and his lawyer of the conditions he will have to follow after leaving custody.

Busfield is required to attend all upcoming hearings in the case; however, the judge decided not to restrict the actor’s travel in and out of New Mexico.

Additionally, the judge said he was prohibited from having “any unsupervised contact with minor children in this case,” adding that Busfield was also “not to have any contact with the alleged victims or their families, nor was he to discuss the case with any witnesses.”

Melissa Gilbert was visibly emotional after her husband’s release

“Little House on the Prairie” star Melissa Gilbert, who was seen crying in the courtroom as the judge handed down his ruling, folded her hands and said, “Thank you, God.”

Before his release, Gilbert, along with three of Busfield’s “Thirtysomething” co-stars, wrote letters to the judge regarding his character.

“I know Tim better and more intimately than anyone in his life,” Gilbert told the judge. She also noted that Busfield “has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known…He begins each day with kindness and compassion.”

The actress concluded her letter by imploring the judge to protect her husband.

“Please, please take care of my sweet husband. As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now, and I think that, more than anything else, is what truly breaks my heart. I am counting on you to protect him for me,” Gilbert’s letter read.

Newly released victim audio could be key to defense

On Tuesday, January 20, TMZ obtained audio of the two juvenile male victims in this case during their interview with local police in November 2024.

During the interrogation, the children were asked if they had ever been touched inappropriately by Timothy Busfield.

Police asked a series of questions about the alleged encounter, including: “So you know what’s right and wrong, right?” Do you know that no one can touch your private parts?

Responding to questions, one of the boys replied: “Yes, but he doesn’t touch those parts. » The other minor replied: “No, he never touched me… ever.”

Hairstylist Retracts Previous Statements About Busfield’s On-Set Behavior

A hairdresser who worked on the set of “The Cleaning Lady,” the series Busfield worked on as a director and where he met the two victims, has retracted her previous comments that she saw Busfield behaving inappropriately with other minors on set.

Danielle Vigil previously said she saw Busfield kiss two children on the forehead while working on the series.

“I am providing this statement to clarify the circumstances surrounding a recorded conversation with a detective and the subsequent characterization of my comments,” Vigil clarified, according to Us Weekly.

“It was never my intention to speculate, accuse or harm anyone, but to speak honestly about my own perceptions, as requested,” she continued.

Vigil further stated that she would have been more careful with her words if she had known that she was being recorded and that her words would be used in this manner.

She said: “If I had known my words were being recorded or that the detective would use the conversation to fit his story, I would have chosen my language more carefully and ensured my statements were fully contextualized.”