Current:Home > MarketsMan pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing -FundGuru
Man pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing
View
Date:2025-04-12 00:06:29
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! (55)
Related
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- The Cowboys, claiming to be 'all in' prior to Dak Prescott's injury, are in a rare spot: Irrelevance
- World War II veteran reflects on life as he turns 100
- COINIXIAI Introduce
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Jordan Chiles Reveals She Still Has Bronze Medal in Emotional Update After 2024 Olympics Controversy
- Pete Rose fans say final goodbye at 14-hour visitation in Cincinnati
- Week 10 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard leagues
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Mega Millions winning numbers for November 8 drawing: Jackpot rises to $361 million
Ranking
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Stock market today: Asian stocks decline as China stimulus plan disappoints markets
- Michael Grimm, former House member convicted of tax fraud, is paralyzed in fall from horse
- Republican David Schweikert wins reelection in affluent Arizona congressional district
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Elon Musk says 'SNL' is 'so mad' Trump won as he slams Dana Carvey's impression
- Reds honor Pete Rose with a 14-hour visitation at Great American Ball Park
- LSU leads college football Week 11 Misery Index after College Football Playoff hopes go bust
Recommendation
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
QTM Community Introduce
World War II veteran reflects on life as he turns 100
Taylor Swift Politely Corrects Security’s Etiquette at Travis Kelce’s Chiefs Game
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
Stocks soared on news of Trump's election. Bonds sank. Here's why.
Trump announces Tom Homan, former director of immigration enforcement, will serve as ‘border czar’
NY forest ranger dies fighting fires as air quality warnings are issued in New York and New Jersey