Melissa Gilbert’s husband, Timothy Busfield, 68, was released from Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County, N.M., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, after a two-hour pretrial detention hearing.
In a statement made to People by “The West Wing” actor’s civil attorney, Larry Stein, it was revealed that Gilbert, 61, was visibly relieved when the judge granted her husband’s release.
Melissa Gilbert ‘Excited’ About Husband’s Release
Stein said that the Hallmark star was “very, very excited,” adding that Busfield “feels wonderful.” The attorney also mentioned the anticipated reunion between the couple of 12 years, saying, “He can reunite with Melissa!”
On the day of Busfield’s pretrial hearing, The Mirror reported that Gilbert cried tears of joy after District Court Judge David Murphy ruled in her husband’s favor.
When the decision was reached, the judge expressed concern over the actor previously abusing his position of power to the detriment of the alleged victims; however, Murphy said that provided affidavits did not prove that to be true.
“The testimony offered today do not corroborate the allegations offered by the alleged victims,” the judge stated, according to The Mirror. “As it stands today, based on the limited information I have in front of me, I characterize the weight of the evidence against the defendant as neutral at this point in time.”
Murphy continued, “I’m concerned about the allegations of this defendant using his position of power on a film set to advance his own personal motive, but the affidavits offered by other people working on the film set do not show the Mr. Busfield has used or abused that position of power.”
Melissa Gilbert Continues to Support Her Husband
After Busfield surrendered himself on Jan. 13, Gilbert and over 70 others, including Gilbert’s mom, wrote powerful letters to the judge, asking him to “protect” Busfield, People reports.
“So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband,” Gilbert wrote. “As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart, I am relying on you to protect him for me.”
The “Little House on the Prairie” star also wrote that her husband has the “strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known.”
While awaiting his next court appearance, Busfield will be able to return home with his wife, ABC News reports.
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Melissa Gilbert ‘Very Excited’ About Husband Tim Busfield’s Jail Release: Report