Mexico: Court finds three men guilty of murder of Australian, US surfers

A Mexican court has convicted three men of the 2024 murders of two Australian brothers and their American friend, who were killed during a botched robbery in Baja California state.

The victims, Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, aged 30 and 33, and their friend Carter Rhoad, 30, were on a surfing trip to Mexico when they were shot dead.

Their bodies were found days later, in a well, with gunshot wounds to their heads.

The judge on Friday ruled that the three Mexican defendants had acted with premeditation.

The prosecution has asked for an "exemplary sentence" of 210 years for each of the three convicted, even though the maximum sentence in Baja California is 60 years.

The convictions marked "an important step towards justice and accountability," according to a statement from the parents of the Australian brothers.

The triple homicide shocked Mexico and drew international attention when it came to light.

Baja California is one of Mexico's most violent states, riddled with organized crime and drug trafficking, although cartel activity doesn't usually affect tourists.

The parents of the Australian brothers, Martin and Debra Robinson, travelled from Australia to the port city of Ensenada for the trial, which began on 7 September.

Debra Robinson testified on the final day of the trial, saying "They took our sons from our lives forever," and "What hurts us most is that, in their final hours, they were treated with such cruelty."

She burst into tears when the guilty verdict was pronounced.

Martin Robinson thanked family and friends for their support, and also thanked the judge, court staff, the Australian embassy in Mexico and the Australian federal police.

He said "No outcome can ever undo this tragedy, but we hope today marks an important step towards justice and allows us to continue honouring their lives and the extraordinary young men they were."

Debra Robinson said "I don’t feel any different today as I did yesterday or I will tomorrow, because … Callum and Jake are not here."

She said she had no feelings towards the three guilty men.

"I have tried to hold on to the memory of my children, my sons, and I try really not to think about them," she said.

"And I don’t actually want them to have any notoriety. We don’t actually really speak their names. They’re not part of our grief really," she added.

The triple homicide sparked an outpouring of grief and condemnation in Australia and the United States.

Jesus Gerardo – known as “El Kekas” – was accused of leading the attack.

His surname has not been disclosed for legal reasons.

He and two other defendants, Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus, were found guilty on Friday local time.

The judge ruled the three Mexican defendants acted with premeditation.

The prosecution described the killings of the three surfers during the closing arguments on Thursday, by recalling the testimony of the girlfriend of one of the main suspects.

She had said that Rhoad had begged for his life while her boyfriend had bragged about "how beautifully" his victims cried before he robbed them.