Current:Home > FinanceMan pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing -Golden Summit Finance
Man pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing
View
Date:2025-04-14 21:59:50
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! (47571)
Related
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Shakira charged for tax evasion again in Spain
- Biden's dog, Commander, bites Secret Service staff again
- Legendary rocker Paul Rodgers says health crisis nearly silenced his voice: I couldn't speak
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- A professor quietly resigned after 'falsifying grades'. Then she went to teach at another Wisconsin campus.
- Astronaut Frank Rubio spent a record 371 days in space. The trip was planned to be 6 months
- GOP setback in DEI battle: Judge refuses to block grant program for Black women
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Michigan State fires coach Mel Tucker for bringing ridicule to school, breaching his contract
Ranking
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Donald Trump and his company repeatedly violated fraud law, New York judge rules
- Astronaut Frank Rubio spent a record 371 days in space. The trip was planned to be 6 months
- Massachusetts man indicted on charges of trying to open jet’s door, attacking crew on United flight
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- In 'Cassandro,' a gay lucha finds himself, and international fame
- Travis Kelce Reveals Family's Reaction to Taylor Swift's Ballsy NFL Appearance
- A look at other Americans who have entered North Korea over the years
Recommendation
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
'Dancing With the Stars' dives into Scandoval with Ariana Madix: 'Scandal does not define me'
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicks off developer conference with focus on AI, virtual reality
Let it snow? Winter predictions start as El Niño strengthens. Here's what forecasters say.
Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
Rhode Island community bank to pay $9M to resolve discriminatory lending allegations
Deion Sanders’ impact at Colorado raises hopes other Black coaches will get opportunities
Donald Trump and his company repeatedly violated fraud law, New York judge rules