In short
- Three defendants – Jesús “El Kekas” Gerardo, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús – went on trial in Ensenada, Mexico, over the 2024 killings of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad.
- The bodies of the three men, all in their early 30s, were found at the bottom of a well with gunshot wounds to their heads after they went missing during a surf trip in Baja California.
- Prosecutors are seeking jail sentences of more than 200 years for each defendant, plus an additional 168-year sentence for the alleged ringleader.
- Ari Gisell, the ex-girlfriend of one of the accused, was the first person convicted over the killings and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
- The trial is judge-only, is expected to last four weeks, and dozens of witnesses are due to give evidence.
Three men went on trial in the Mexican coastal town of Ensenada on Tuesday over the 2024 killings of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad, whose bodies were found at the bottom of a well with gunshot wounds to their heads days after they went missing during a surf trip in Baja California.
Who is on trial and what sentences do prosecutors seek?
The three defendants are Jesús “El Kekas” Gerardo, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús. They face charges of murder, violent robbery and auto theft. Prosecutors are seeking jail terms of more than 200 years for each of the defendants and an additional 168-year sentence for the man they identify as the alleged ringleader. The case is being heard by a judge alone and is expected to last four weeks, with dozens of witnesses due to give evidence.
Why was the trial moved to a smaller courtroom?
On the opening day, the accused were moved to a smaller courtroom amid accusations that some witnesses had been intimidated by people associated with the defendants. The parents of the Robinson brothers, Martin and Debra Robinson, were in court in Ensenada on Tuesday and told the media the hearing was “incredibly important and overwhelmingly difficult”.
What did the victims’ parents say?
In a statement reported by Australia’s national broadcaster, the ABC, Martin and Debra Robinson said: “We want the men accused of murdering our sons to see, in person, the human consequences of what happened.” They added: “Callum and Jake were not simply victims in a case file – they were our sons, deeply loved by their family and friends, with lives, dreams and futures that were brutally taken away.”
What do prosecutors say happened?
Prosecutors say the victims were killed in a bungled robbery. The defence has argued there is not enough evidence to prove that theory. Callum Robinson, his younger brother Jake and Carter Rhoad, who was from California, were found at the bottom of a well. All three were in their early 30s.
Has anyone else been convicted?
Ari Gisell, the ex-girlfriend of one of the accused, became the first person convicted over the killings last year and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in their murders.
Who were the three men killed?
Callum Robinson was a member of Australia’s national lacrosse team and lived in San Diego, where he played professionally. His younger brother Jake had travelled from Australia for the surf trip and was due to start a job as a doctor on his return. Carter Rhoad was killed a few months before his wedding.
Why did the case shock Australians and residents of Ensenada?
The killings shocked Australians as well as many residents of Ensenada, a normally peaceful town. Despite high levels of cartel violence in Mexico’s northern border states, tourists are rarely targeted for such violent attacks in Baja California’s surf towns.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the men on trial in Mexico over the killings of the Australian brothers?
Jesús “El Kekas” Gerardo, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús are on trial in Ensenada, Mexico, over the 2024 killings of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad.
What sentences are prosecutors seeking?
Prosecutors are seeking jail sentences of more than 200 years for each defendant, plus an additional 168-year sentence for the alleged ringleader. The defendants also face charges of violent robbery and auto theft.
How were Callum and Jake Robinson and Carter Rhoad found?
Their bodies were found at the bottom of a well with gunshot wounds to their heads, days after they disappeared during a surf trip in Baja California in 2024.
Has anyone already been convicted over the killings?
Ari Gisell, the ex-girlfriend of one of the accused, was the first person convicted over the killings and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role.
With reporting from BBC News.
Stock image, not from the events described. City Skyline — Matt Bango / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)
