Not Guilty Pleas Entered for Suspects in Actor Johnny Wactor's Shooting Death

Three suspects have pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor. The primary suspect faces life without parole if convicted. The incident, occurring on May 25, prompted significant public response. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 16.

Three individuals associated with the shooting death of Johnny Wactor, an actor recognized for his role in ABC's 'General Hospital,' have entered pleas of not guilty. The arraignment was conducted Thursday morning before Judge Susan De Witt at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Deadline reports indicate.

The primary suspect, 18-year-old Robert Isaiah Barceleau from Huntington Park, is charged with murder and faces a special circumstance allegation for committing the crime during an attempted robbery. If convicted, Barceleau could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, according to Deadline.

Sergio Estrada, also 18, faces charges of murder, attempted robbery, and grand theft while armed with a firearm, though his case does not include the special circumstance allegation.

The third suspect, Frank Olano, 22, from Inglewood, has also pleaded not guilty to being an accessory after the fact, receiving stolen property, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A fourth suspect, 18-year-old Leonel Gutierrez, accused of attempted robbery and grand theft with gun allegations, is expected to plead guilty.

Gutierrez has been released on a USD 120,000 bond and is scheduled to enter his plea on September 11. Judge De Witt has set a preliminary hearing for Barceleau, Estrada, and Olano on October 16.

The fatal incident occurred on May 25 in downtown Los Angeles when Wactor was shot confronting robbers attempting to steal his car's catalytic converter. Wactor, 37, was walking to his vehicle with a coworker after finishing his bartending shift. The tragedy sparked a significant public outcry and a rally in June calling for justice.

District Attorney Chief Deputy Joseph Iniguez stated that the major crimes division is collaborating with Central Bureau homicide detectives, emphasizing that they have several leads. Wactor, who played Brando Corbin in 'General Hospital' from 2020 to 2022, was posthumously honored by the show in a tribute episode in mid-June.

(With inputs from agencies.)