Three men are on trial in the Mexican town of Ensenada for the alleged murders of two Australian brothers and their American friend during a surf trip in Baja California in 2024.
The bodies of Callum Robinson, his younger brother Jake, and their friend Carter Rhoad, all in their early thirties, were found at the bottom of a well with gunshot wounds to the head, days after the trio disappeared while surfing.
Prosecutors seek jail sentences that exceed 200 years for each defendant, and they face charges of violent robbery and theft of a vehicle.
The parents of the brothers, Martin and Debra Robinson, appeared in court on Tuesday, telling staff that the proceedings were “incredibly important and overwhelmingly difficult.”
They said, “We want the men accused of murdering our sons to see the human consequences of this tragedy.” Additional statements highlighted that Callum and Jake were not mere names in a case file; they were loved sons with dreams that were taken away.
On the opening day, the accused – Jesús "El Kekas" Gerardo, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús – were moved to a smaller courtroom after allegations that witnesses were intimidated by people linked to the defendants.
Dozens of witnesses are expected to give evidence during the four‑week, judge‑only trial.
The 2024 murders of the Robinson brothers and Rhoad shocked Australians and residents of Ensenada, a town normally known for its peaceful surf culture. Although cartel violence is high in northern Mexico, tourists are rarely victims of such violent attacks in Baja California’s surf towns.
The ex‑girlfriend of one of the accused, Ari Gisell, was the first person convicted for the killings last year and was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for her role.
Prosecutors are pursuing jail sentences that in total exceed 200 years for each defendant; the alleged ringleader faces an additional 168‑year sentence.
The prosecution claims the victims were killed due to a bungled robbery, while the defence argues there is insufficient evidence to support that theory.
Callum Robinson was a member of Australia's national lacrosse team and had lived in San Diego as a professional lacrosse player. His brother Jake had returned from Australia to start a medical job while their friend Rhoad was killed a few months before his wedding.
