Current:Home > MarketsMan pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing -ClearPath Finance
Man pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing
View
Date:2025-04-14 13:57:40
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! (5)
Related
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Behind the Scenes Secrets of Frozen That We Can't Let Go
- Thousands of fans in Taylor Swift's São Paulo crowd create light display
- Christopher Luxon sworn in as New Zealand prime minister, says priority is to improve economy
- Olympic men's basketball bracket: Results of the 5x5 tournament
- 5, including 2 children, killed in Ohio mobile home fire on Thanksgiving, authorities say
- 2 teens shot, suspect arrested at downtown Cleveland plaza after annual tree-lighting ceremony
- The body of an abducted anti-mining activist is found in western Mexico
- Man charged with murder in death of beloved Detroit-area neurosurgeon
- Ukraine is shipping more grain through the Black Sea despite threat from Russia
Ranking
- Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action
- Michigan, Washington move up in top five of US LBM Coaches Poll, while Ohio State tumbles
- Christopher Luxon sworn in as New Zealand prime minister, says priority is to improve economy
- Global watchdog urges UN Security Council to consider all options to protect Darfur civilians
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- 1.3 million chickens to be culled after bird flu detected at Ohio farm
- CM Punk makes emphatic return to WWE at end of Survivor Series: WarGames in Chicago
- Black Women Face Disproportionate Risks From Largely Unregulated Toxic Substances in Beauty and Personal Care Products
Recommendation
US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
AP Top 25: No. 3 Washington, No. 5 Oregon move up, give Pac-12 2 in top 5 for 1st time since 2016
2 teens shot, suspect arrested at downtown Cleveland plaza after annual tree-lighting ceremony
Pope Francis has a hospital checkup after coming down with the flu
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
Inside the actors' union tentative strike agreement: Pay, AI, intimacy coordinators, more
Christopher Luxon sworn in as New Zealand prime minister, says priority is to improve economy
Nebraska woman bags marriage proposal shortly after killing big buck on hunting trip