Home · World · Oct 17 archive

Mexican Judge Sentences Three Men to Over 150 Years for Surfing Trip Murders

2:26 AM ETConfirmed

World Desk

In Short: A Mexican judge sentenced three men to more than 150 years in prison each for the murders of two Australian brothers and their American friend during a surfing trip in Mexico.

A Mexican judge sentenced three men to 158 years and nine months in prison each for the murders of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad during a surfing trip in Mexico in April 2024.

Jesús Gerardo, known as 'El Kekas', Irineo Francisco, and Ángel Jesús were found guilty of aggravated homicide and related offences in a judge-only trial last week.

The judge ruled that the men acted with premeditation, and ordered them to pay 1,980,728 pesos ($154,500) for the murders of the Robinson brothers and 549,550 pesos ($45,000) for the murder of Mr Rhoad.

The defence team has indicated it will appeal the sentences in an upcoming hearing.

The murders sent shockwaves around the world, particularly in Australia, as the area is usually safe from the violence seen in other parts of Mexico.

The defendants were found guilty of the murders of the Robinson brothers, aged 33 and 30, and their American friend Carter Rhoad, 30, who were camping in a remote beachside area near the city of Ensenada when they were attacked.

The Baja California State Attorney General’s Office had requested an 'exemplary sentence' of 210 years in prison for each defendant.

Debra Robinson, the brothers' mother, told the courtroom that her sons' murders had taken 'the future we had imagined with them'.

The Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation aims to 'help people live bigger, shine brighter and love harder in their honour'.

The Robinsons' parents, Martin and Debra Robinson, travelled from Perth to attend the four-week trial and were in court for the verdict.

Ms Robinson cried and embraced an Australian consular representative when the verdict was handed down.

The judge ruled last week that the three Mexican defendants acted with premeditation.

Background

What's confirmed

• Jesús Gerardo, known as "El Kekas", Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús, whose full names were withheld for legal reasons, were found guilty of aggravated homicide and several related offences in a judge-only trial last week.
• Jesús Gerardo, alias El Kekas, had a reputation as a violent hit man, the trial heard. ( Supplied: Mexican police handout ) Irineo Francisco has links to the Sinaloa cartel, according to court documents. ( Supplied ) The men were also ordered to pay 1,980,728 pesos ($154,500) for the murders of the brothers, and 549,550 pesos ($45,000) for the murder of Mr Rhoad.
• The defendants were found guilty a week ago of the murders of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson, aged 33 and 30, respectively, and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, 30.
• The judge ruled last week that the three Mexican defendants, identified only by their first names, Jesus Gerardo, Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus, acted with premeditation.
• Weirtz called for the accused to "be punished so that no other family suffers the same pain."
• A judge has convicted three Mexican men of the murders of Jake and Callum Robinson and Carter Rhoad.
• Afterwards, the couple thanked the judge and court staff, Australian embassy staff in Mexico, and the prosecution and witnesses who helped secure the verdicts.
• "While no verdict can ever bring back our boys or ease the heartbreak of losing them, we hope this outcome represents an important step towards justice and accountability," he told reporters.

What's still developing

• "No sentence, no matter how long, will ever bring our beautiful boys back or undo the devastating loss suffered by their family and friends," the parents said.
• ( Supplied ) Judge Raul Hernandez Arellano sentenced each man to 158 years and nine months in prison, saying the characteristics of the attack constituted a serious crime.
• "While nothing can change what happened, we hope this outcome allows us to take a small step forward, knowing that justice has been served."
• In a statement, they said they were satisfied with the sentences.
• In November last year, the girlfriend of the alleged ringleader, Jesús Gerardo (alias "El Kekas"), was sentenced in a separate trial to 20 years in prison.
• Prosecutors had requested damages of more than $100,000 but the judge ruled against it and said any compensation would have to be pursued through civil proceedings.
• Mexican judge on Friday is expected to issue sentences for three men convicted of murdering two Australian surfers and their American friend in 2024, in a case that drew global condemnation.
• She said that Rhoad had begged for his life and that her boyfriend, who is nicknamed "El Kekas," had bragged about "how beautifully" the victims cried and about items he robbed from them.
• Testifying on the final day of the trial, Debra Robinson said what hurt herself and her husband the most was that "in their final hours" their sons "were treated with such cruelty."

Sources

• ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporationlink
• Al Jazeeralink
• BBClink
• The Guardianlink
• eNCAlink
• Abclink
• Aapnewslink
• Bozemandailychroniclelink
• AFPlink
• WarpBeat — background on Judge Sentences Former Gang Boss to 40 Years for Tupac Shakur's Murder link
• WarpBeat — background on Three Convicted in Mexico Murders of Australian Surfers and US Friend link