A Mexican judge has sentenced three men to 158 years and nine months in prison each for the murder of two Australian brothers and their American friend during a 2024 surf trip to the state of Baja California. The defendants were declared guilty a week ago of homicide, aggravated robbery, robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence, crimes committed against Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, and their American friend Carter Rhoad. Rhoad and the Robinsons were shot dead in a suspected robbery while travelling through Mexico.
Jesus Gerardo – known as “El Kekas” – was accused of leading the attack. His surname has not been disclosed for legal reasons. Two other defendants, Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus, were also found guilty and have also been sentenced.
The brothers’ parents, Martin and Debra Robinson, travelled from Australia to the port city of Ensenada for the trial, which began on 7 September. They have established a foundation in their sons’ names to carry on their legacy. The Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation aims to “help people live bigger, shine brighter and love harder in their honour”.
Baja California is one of Mexico’s most violent states, plagued by organised crime and drug trafficking, although cartel activity does not usually affect tourists. Other foreign visitors have, however, been targeted in criminal attacks on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Two Australian surfers, Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, were killed in 2015 while travelling through the north-western state of Sinaloa.
Their bodies were later burned.
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