Killers of Perth brothers Jake and Callum Robinson sentenced in Mexican court

Three Mexican men sentenced to over 158 years in prison for the murders of Jake and Callum Robinson and Carter Rhoad.

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A judge in Mexico has sentenced three men to more than 158 years in prison each for the murders of Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad. The brothers, from Western Australia, and their friend were killed during a surfing trip in Mexico's Baja California region in April 2024.

The three victims were found guilty of aggravated homicide and several related offences in a judge-only trial last week. The prosecution told the trial that the victims were murdered during a robbery gone wrong, although the defence had attempted to argue there was not enough evidence to prove the case.

Judge Raul Hernandez Arellano sentenced each man to 158 years and nine months in prison, saying the characteristics of the attack constituted a serious crime. He told a court in Ensenada, Mexico, that their crimes were made worse by the fact the tourists were unarmed and attacked at a remote location at night.

The defence team has indicated it will appeal the sentences in an upcoming hearing. Ángel Jesús has been in custody in a local jail since the incident. Jesús Gerardo, alias El Kekas, had a reputation as a violent hit man, the trial heard, while Irineo Francisco has links to the Sinaloa cartel, according to court documents.

The judge said the three men had time to think through the crime and yet proceeded anyway. The sentencing comes after a judge-only trial, where the defence had attempted to argue there was not enough evidence to prove the case.