Current:Home > ContactMan pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing -Core Financial Strategies
Man pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing
View
Date:2025-04-16 05:10:11
One of the four people charged in connection to the death of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor has entered a guilty plea in the case.
Leonel Gutierrez, 18, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and grand theft, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday. Gutierrez, who is free on $120,000 bond, is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 1.
According to the Los Angeles Times and CBS News, Gutierrez faces up to four years and eight months in prison with his current charges.
Wactor, who was best known for his role as Brando Corbin on "General Hospital," died from a gunshot wound to the chest in downtown Los Angeles on May 25. He was 37.
The cases against alleged conspirators Robert Barceleau, 18; Sergio Estrada, 18 and Frank Olano, 22, are pending. They have all pleaded not guilty to felony charges and are scheduled for a preliminary hearing setting on Oct. 16.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
The four men were arrested on Aug. 14. Barceleau – who allegedly shot Wactor in the chest, per investigators – and Estrada were each charged with one count of murder, one count of attempted robbery and one count of grand theft.
Olano was charged with one count of accessory after the fact to murder, one count of receiving stolen property and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
If convicted under the current charges, Barceleau faces life in prison without parole. Estrada faces a maximum of life in prison. Gutierrez faces four years, eight months in prison, and Olano faces five years, eight months in prison.
Johnny Wactor's mom: 'Grief is my constant companion'
Wactor was shot around 3 a.m. May 25 during an attempted catalytic converter theft in the 1200 block of Hope Street, per LAPD's May 28 news release. Officers "began to render aid" to Wactor, who was later transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"Based on witness statements, Wactor had ended his shift as a bartender at a local bar and walked to his vehicle. When Wactor arrived at his vehicle, he was confronted by three individuals who had Wactor's vehicle raised up with a floor jack and were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter," LAPD reported. "Without provocation, the victim was shot by one of the individuals."
During a news conference in downtown Los Angeles last month, Wactor's mother, Scarlett Wactor, said “Grief is my constant companion,” according to The Associated Press.
"I can’t wish him happy birthday on Aug. 31 — he would have been 38," she continued. "I can’t ask if he’s coming home for Christmas. I can’t ask how his day went.”
veryGood! (27)
Related
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Secrets You Never Knew About Britney Spears' ...Baby One More Time
- Beyoncé films to watch ahead of 'Renaissance' premiere
- Violence erupts in Dublin in response to knife attack that wounded 3 children
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Travel Tuesday emerges as a prime day for holiday and winter travel deals
- Why Deion Sanders isn't discouraged by Colorado's poor finish: 'We getting ready to start cookin'
- Male soccer players in Italy put red marks on faces in campaign to eliminate violence against women
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2023 live results: CM Punk returns, highlights from Chicago
Ranking
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Baker Mayfield injury: Buccaneers QB exits matchup vs. Colts briefly with leg issue
- Israel-Hamas war rages with cease-fire delayed, Israeli hostage and Palestinian prisoner families left to hope
- Afraid of overspending on holiday gifts? Set a budget. We'll show you how.
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- Greek police arrest 6 alleged migrant traffickers and are looking for 7 others from the same gang
- Iowa State relies on big plays, fourth-down stop for snowy 42-35 win over No. 19 K-State
- Trump hints at expanded role for the military within the US. A legacy law gives him few guardrails
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Suzanne Shepherd, Sopranos and Goodfellas actress, dies at 89
Palestinian militants kill 2 alleged informers for Israel and mob drags bodies through camp alleys
Josh Giddey playing for Thunder as NBA probes alleged relationship with minor
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
BANG YEDAM discusses solo debut with 'ONLY ONE', creative process and artistic identity.
Final trial over Elijah McClain’s death in suburban Denver spotlights paramedics’ role
Russia says it downed dozens of Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow, following a mass strike on Kyiv