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Former 'General Hospital' Actor Murdered In Car Theft Incident

Los Angeles Councilmember Kevin de Leon, at the podium, surrounded by friends of late actor Johnny Wactor, speaks at a news conference outside the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los

Two men charged with murder in the killing of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor pleaded not guilty Thursday in a Los Angeles court. Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada, both 18, entered the pleas through attorneys to charges of murder, grand theft, and attempted robbery. A third defendant, Frank Olano, 22, charged with being an accessory after the fact, also pleaded not guilty. A fourth, Leonel Gutierrez, charged with grand theft and attempted robbery but not with killing Wactor, is expected to enter a plea next month.

Wactor was shot and killed when he interrupted three thieves stealing the catalytic converter from his car on May 25. Police and prosecutors said the 37-year-old had left work at a downtown LA rooftop bar with a coworker when he saw three men who had hoisted his car. One of them fired at him without provocation and killed him, authorities said.

Frank Olano, 22, pleaded not guilty to being an accessory after the fact.
Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada, both 18, pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
Leonel Gutierrez is expected to enter a plea next month.
Wactor was killed when he interrupted thieves stealing his car's catalytic converter.
The incident occurred on May 25 in downtown LA.

After a long investigation that included police requests for help from the public, the four men were arrested on Aug. 15 and charged on Aug. 19. Barceleau’s charges include special circumstances, including murder during an attempted robbery and personal use of a firearm, that after a conviction could lead to a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Estrada’s charges have a maximum sentence of life in prison.

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