Three individuals have entered not guilty pleas in the case surrounding the shooting death of Johnny Wactor, the actor known for his role as Brando Corbin on General Hospital. The arraignment took place on Thursday morning before Judge Susan De Witt at the Los Angeles Superior Court, as reported by Deadline.
The primary suspect, 18-year-old Robert Isaiah Barceleau from Huntington Park, faces charges of murder along with a special circumstance allegation for committing the crime during an attempted robbery. If convicted, Barceleau could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Sergio Estrada, also 18, has been charged with murder, attempted robbery, and grand theft while armed with a firearm. Estrada’s case does not include the special circumstance allegation.
The third suspect, 22-year-old Frank Olano of Inglewood, has pleaded not guilty to charges of 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, who faces charges 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 scheduled a preliminary hearing for Barceleau, Estrada, and Olano on October 16.
The incident that led to Wactor’s death occurred early in the morning on May 25 in downtown Los Angeles. The actor was shot while confronting robbers who were attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his car. Wactor, 37, was walking to his vehicle with a co-worker after finishing a bartending shift when the tragedy unfolded.
The killing sparked a significant public response, including a rally held in June calling for justice for Wactor. L.A. District Attorney Chief Deputy Joseph Iniguez assured the community that the major crimes division was collaborating with Central Bureau homicide detectives, stating, “We have a number of leads.”
Wactor, who appeared in 164 episodes of General Hospital between 2020 and 2022, was honored with a tribute episode by the show in mid-June.
