Guilty Verdict in Mexican Murder Case of Australian Brothers

Three men have been found guilty of murdering two Australian brothers, Jake and Callum Robinson, and their friend Carter Rhoad while they were on a surfing trip in Mexico's Baja California region in April 2024.

Jesús Gerardo, known as "El Kekas", Irineo Francisco, and Ángel Jesús were found guilty of aggravated homicide and several related offences in a Mexican court. The three victims were killed during a robbery gone wrong, according to the prosecution.

The brothers' parents, Debra and Martin Robinson, attended the trial and were in court for the verdict. Ms Robinson cried and embraced an Australian consular representative when it was handed down. The couple thanked the judge and court staff, Australian embassy staff in Mexico, and the prosecution and witnesses who helped secure the verdicts.

"While no verdict can ever bring back our boys or ease the heartbreak of losing them, we hope this outcome represents an important step towards justice and accountability," Mr Robinson said outside court.

"Callum and Jake had their whole lives ahead of them, filled with dreams, love and promise. We will forever carry their memory in our hearts," Mr Robinson added.

Ms Robinson said she hoped the convictions meant the men would not be able to inflict the same pain on any other families in Mexico. The trial heard evidence that Jesús Gerardo was a hit man with a list of targets.

Judge Raul Hernandez Arellano conveyed his condolences to the couple and told them he was ashamed the murders had taken place in his country. He said he wanted to deliver justice but could only do what the laws in Mexico allowed him to.

Ari Gisell, the ex-girlfriend of Jesús Gerardo, testified that he had described to her how he killed the men and joked about how they cried. She said he had said the victims had handed over their car keys and wallets and "begged not to be killed".

The men will be sentenced on October 16. A charity, the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation, has been set up in their honour to support other young people.

"Almost every day we get people contacting us, people sometimes we have never met before, who tell us inspiring things about these three guys," Mr Robinson said.

"How they have helped them in their lives, have changed the course of their life, have really given them a new direction and have made a big difference in their life. So I think that's really what we're so proud about, is that Calum and Jake, while they're not here, they continue to inspire other people," Mr Robinson added.