Verdict due Friday in Mexico trial for murdered Australian surfers

The verdict in the murder trial of three men accused of killing Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad is expected to be announced by a Mexican judge on Friday. The victims, all aged 30, were shot dead during an alleged robbery attempt while camping at a remote beachside area in Baja California state in April 2024. Authorities state the men were killed during an attempt to steal their pickup truck, which was later found burned; their bodies were discovered dumped in a cliff-top shaft with gunshot wounds to their heads.

The trial in Ensenada

The trial, which began on September 7, is taking place in a courthouse in Ensenada, Mexico. There is no jury; the case is being decided by a single judge alone. Closing arguments were expected from 1pm Thursday local time. After the defence waived cross-examination of two final witnesses, Debra Robinson, mother of the slain brothers, read a statement to the judge. During testimony last month, a witness named Ary Gisell Silva Raya said one of the defendants, Jesús Gerardo García, confessed to approaching the surfers’ tent with a 9 mm handgun.

The accused and charges

The three defendants on trial are Jesús Gerardo, known as 'El Kekas', Irineo Francisco, and Ángel Jesús. The prosecution is seeking 150 years in prison for each of the accused. Jesús Gerardo’s full surname has not been disclosed for legal reasons. His girlfriend was sentenced in a separate trial in November to two decades in prison after admitting she instigated the robbery to steal the pickup's tires.

Family presence and impact

Debra and Martin Robinson, parents of Jake and Callum, have attended the trial daily after travelling from Australia to Ensenada. Martin Robinson described the murders as hell at the start of the trial. "It’s hard for a parent to lose a son, and we lost two sons," he said. Natalie Weirtz, who was engaged to Carter Rhoad, participated via video call from the United States. She stated the accused are guilty and must be punished so that no other family suffers the same pain.

Context of violence in Baja California

Baja California is described as one of Mexico's most violent states, plagued by organized crime and drug trafficking. Cartel activity in the region does not usually affect tourists, and such brutal attacks on foreign visitors remain rare. Other foreign visitors have been targeted on Mexico’s Pacific coast. In 2015, Australian surfers Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman were murdered while traveling through the neighboring state of Sinaloa; their bodies were later burned.

The judge is expected to announce the verdict on Friday following closing arguments.