Current:Home > ContactMan pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing -WealthGrow Network
Man pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing
View
Date:2025-04-19 00:09:06
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! (8)
Related
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- United Methodist delegates repeal their church’s ban on its clergy celebrating same-sex marriages
- Safety lapses contributed to patient assaults at Oregon State Hospital, federal report says
- 'Freedom to Learn' protesters push back on book bans, restrictions on Black history
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Loss and Damage Meeting Shows Signs of Giving Developing Countries a Bigger Voice and Easier Access to Aid
- Southern California city detects localized tuberculosis outbreak
- Who won Deion Sanders' social media battles this week? He did, according to viewership
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Raven-Symoné Slams Death Threats Aimed at Wife Miranda Pearman-Maday
Ranking
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Missouri abortion-rights campaign turns in more than double the needed signatures to get on ballot
- North Carolina candidate for Congress suspends campaign days before primary runoff after Trump weighs in
- Darvin Ham out as Lakers coach after two seasons
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Indiana Fever move WNBA preseason home game to accommodate Pacers' playoff schedule
- E. Coli recalls affect 20 states, DC. See map of where recalled food was sent.
- Why is 'Star Wars' Day on May 4? What is it? Here's how the unofficial holiday came to be
Recommendation
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
Mick Jagger wades into politics, taking verbal jab at Louisiana state governor at performance
Kevin Spacey hits back at documentary set to feature allegations 'dating back 48 years'
Southern California city detects localized tuberculosis outbreak
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
Justin Hartley shifts gears in new drama Tracker
Court appearance for country star Morgan Wallen in chair-throwing case postponed until August
Summer heat hits Asia early, killing dozens as one expert calls it the most extreme event in climate history