A judge in Mexico has sentenced three defendants to 158 years and nine months in prison each over the deaths of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad during a 2024 surfing trip in Baja California, according to court proceedings.
The three men were convicted of murder, aggravated robbery, armed robbery and car theft involving violence, according to the prosecution. The sentence followed their conviction a week earlier.
Rhoad and the Robinson brothers were found shot dead in Baja California in what was suspected to be a robbery as they traveled through Mexico. Jesus Gerardo, also known as "El Kekas", is accused of leading the attack; his surname was not released for legal reasons. The other two defendants, Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus, were also convicted and received the same sentence.
Martin and Debra Robinson, the brothers' parents, traveled from Australia to the port city of Ensenada to follow the trial, which began on September 7. The family later set up a fund in their sons' names to carry on their legacy. The Callum and Jake Robinson fund aims to "help people live fuller, shine brighter and love harder in memory of the boys".
Baja California is one of Mexico's most violent states, regularly affected by organized crime and drug trafficking, although gang activity usually does not target tourists. Foreigners have nonetheless been targeted in criminal attacks along Mexico's Pacific coast.
In 2015, two Australian surfers, Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, were killed as they traveled through the northwestern state of Sinaloa. Their bodies were later burned.
