Current:Home > FinanceMan pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing -Wealth Navigators Hub
Man pleads guilty to charges related to 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor's killing
View
Date:2025-04-23 22:23:21
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! (5959)
Related
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Vance criticized an infrastructure law as a candidate then embraced it as a senator
- College Football Misery Index: Ole Miss falls flat despite spending big
- Budget-Strapped Wyoming Towns Race for Federal Funds To Fix Aging Water, Sewer Systems
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Trump lists his grievances in a Wisconsin speech intended to link Harris to illegal immigration
- Handing out MLB's 2024 awards: Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge earn MVPs for all-time seasons
- Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC highlights: Messi goal in second half helps secure draw
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Chemical fire at pool cleaner plant forces evacuations in Atlanta suburb
Ranking
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Knicks trade for Karl-Anthony Towns in blockbuster deal
- Lynx star Napheesa Collier wins WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, tops all-defensive team
- University imposes a one-year suspension on law professor over comments on race
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Chemical fire at pool cleaner plant forces evacuations in Atlanta suburb
- Rachel Zoe Shares Update on Her Kids Amid Divorce From Husband Rodger Berman
- Vance criticized an infrastructure law as a candidate then embraced it as a senator
Recommendation
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
An asteroid known as a 'mini-moon' will join Earth's orbit for 2 months starting Sunday
Sister Wives: Christine Brown and Robyn Brown Have “Awkward” Reunion
Appeals stretch 4 decades for a prisoner convicted on little police evidence
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
'Multiple' deaths reported after single-engine plane crashes in North Carolina
Kurt Cobain's Daughter Frances Bean Cobain Welcomes First Baby With Tony Hawk's Son Riley Hawk
Control of the US Senate is in play as Montana’s Tester debates his GOP challenger