Two 18-year-old men have been charged with murder in the killing of former General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor. Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada were each charged on Monday in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, District Attorney George Gascon said at a news conference. “The loss of this talented young actor, who was in the prime of his life and had so much to offer the world, is deeply felt by all of us,” Mr Gascon said.
The men and two co-defendants, all of whom were arrested on Thursday, were set to be arraigned on Monday afternoon. Justice for Johnny supporters attend a news conference outside the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles on Monday (Damian Dovarganes/AP) Wactor was shot and killed when he interrupted three thieves stealing the catalytic converter from his car on May 25. Police 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.
Police said one of them fired at him without provocation and killed him. Barceleau and Estrada were also both charged with grand theft and attempted robbery. 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 possibility of parole.
Estrada’s charges have a maximum sentence of life in prison. A third man who authorities allege was with them, Leonel Gutierrez, was charged with grand theft a.