Current:Home > StocksMan pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing -VitalEdge Finance Pro
Man pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing
View
Date:2025-04-11 18:20:16
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! (63)
Related
- Jamaica's Kishane Thompson more motivated after thrilling 100m finish against Noah Lyles
- Don’t Miss Old Navy’s 50% off Sale: Shop Denim Staples, Cozy Cardigans & More Great Finds Starting at $7
- A Guide to Vice President Kamala Harris’ Family
- Gold medalist Ashleigh Johnson, Flavor Flav seek to bring water polo to new audience
- Elon Musk’s Daughter Vivian Calls Him “Absolutely Pathetic” and a “Serial Adulterer”
- Paris Olympics are time to shine for Breanna Stewart, A'ja Wilson: 'We know what's at stake'
- Can tech help solve the Los Angeles homeless crisis? Finding shelter may someday be a click away
- Simone Biles says she has calf discomfort during Olympic gymnastics qualifying but keeps competing
- Olympic women's basketball bracket: Schedule, results, Team USA's path to gold
- NYC mayor issues emergency order suspending parts of new solitary confinement law
Ranking
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- 3 dead, 2 critically injured after 25-foot pontoon boat capsizes on Lake Powell in northern Arizona
- Katie Ledecky couldn't find 'that next gear.' Still, she's 'grateful' for bronze medal.
- Why are more adults not having children? New study may have an explanation.
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- American Carissa Moore began defense of her Olympic surfing title, wins first heat
- Boar's Head issues recall for more than 200,000 pounds of liverwurst, other sliced meats
- 3 Members of The Nelons Family Gospel Group Dead in Plane Crash
Recommendation
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
Everything we know about Simone Biles’ calf injury at Olympic qualifying
Archery could be a party in Paris Olympics, and American Brady Ellison is all for it
US men’s basketball team rolls past Serbia 110-84 in opening game at the Paris Olympics
'Meet me at the gate': Watch as widow scatters husband's ashes, BASE jumps into canyon
Beyoncé introduces Team USA during NBC coverage of Paris Olympics opening ceremony: Watch
Takeaways from AP’s story on inefficient tech slowing efforts to get homeless people off the streets
Billy Ray Cyrus reportedly called ex Tish a 'skank.' We need to talk about slut-shaming.