Mexican Court Hands Three Men 158-Year Sentences for Murders of Australian Brothers and American Friend

A Mexican judge has 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 Jack Carter Rhoad, who were killed during a surfing trip in Baja California in April 2024.

The convicted men—Jesús Gerardo, known as “El Kekas,” Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús—were found guilty of aggravated homicide and related offences last week in a judge-only trial in Ensenada.

Judge Raul Hernandez Arellano said the crimes were aggravated because the tourists were unarmed and attacked at a remote location at night, and because the three men had time to think through the crime and proceeded anyway.

The prosecution told the court the victims were murdered during a robbery gone wrong.

The trio had been camping at a secluded beachside spot near Ensenada when they were attacked, and their bodies were later found dumped down a well with gunshot wounds to their heads. Their burned-out pickup truck was found days later.

The men were also ordered to pay 1,980,728 pesos (about $154,500) for the murders of the brothers, and 549,550 pesos (about $45,000) for the murder of Rhoad.

In an emotional address, Rhoad’s mother, Page, thanked the judge and said she was glad no other families would become victims of these men’s crimes.

The Robinson brothers’ parents, Debra and Martin Robinson, travelled from Western Australia to attend the trial. In a statement, they said they were satisfied with the sentences.

“No sentence, no matter how long, will ever bring our beautiful boys back or undo the devastating loss suffered by their family and friends,” they said.

“However, we take some comfort in knowing that these men will be removed from society and will never have the opportunity to inflict this kind of unimaginable pain and suffering on other families”.

The defence team has indicated it will appeal the sentences and has 10 days to do so . Gerardo’s then-girlfriend was sentenced in a separate trial last year to 20 years in prison for her involvement in the robbery.