Current:Home > reviewsMan pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing -NextFrontier Finance
Man pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing
TradeEdge View
Date:2025-04-08 23:20:07
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! (85758)
Related
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Pope Francis’ 87th birthday closes out a big year of efforts to reform the church, cement his legacy
- 2 men charged in Pennsylvania school van crash that killed teenage girl, injured 5
- Mayim Bialik is out as a 'Jeopardy!' host, leaving longtime champ Ken Jennings to solo
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Israel is using an AI system to find targets in Gaza. Experts say it's just the start
- A New Orleans neighborhood confronts the racist legacy of a toxic stretch of highway
- Tyreek Hill won't suit up for Dolphins' AFC East clash against Jets
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Exclusive: Shohei Ohtani's agent provides inside look at historic contract negotiations
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Costco members buy over $100 million in gold bars, stock rises after earnings call
- Bowl game schedule today: Everything to know about the six college bowl games on Dec. 16
- Nationwide 'pig butchering' scam bilked crypto victims out of $80 million, feds say
- PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Wednesday August 7, 2024
- Boston Tea Party turns 250 years old with reenactments of the revolutionary protest
- The number of homeless people in America grew in 2023 as high cost of living took a toll
- The 18 Hap-Hap-Happiest Secrets About Christmas Vacation Revealed
Recommendation
Vance jokes he’s checking out his future VP plane while overlapping with Harris at Wisconsin airport
'Summoning the devil's army': Couple arrested after burning cross found outside neighbor's home
DeSantis predicts Trump won't accept results in Iowa or New Hampshire if he loses
Anthony Anderson to host the Emmy Awards, following strike-related delays
Small twin
The 18 Hap-Hap-Happiest Secrets About Christmas Vacation Revealed
Watch as Rob Gronkowski sings the national anthem at the start of the LA Bowl
Our top global posts might change how you think about hunters, AI and hellos