A Mexican judge is expected to hand down his verdict in the high-profile murder trial of three men accused of killing two Australian surfers and their American friend in 2024.
Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, aged 30 and 33 respectively, and their friend Carter Rhoad, 30, were on a surfing trip to Mexico's Pacific coast when they were shot dead in Baja California state in an alleged robbery. The deaths of the trio sparked an outpouring of grief and condemnation in Australia and the United States.
Prosecution seeks 150-year sentences
The prosecution is seeking 150 years in prison for each of the accused. The prosecution and defence were expected to present their closing arguments from 1pm Thursday (6am AEDT on Friday), after which the judge was expected to announce his verdict. If convicted, the three will be sentenced on Friday.
Martin and Debra Robinson, the brothers' parents, will address the court. Both travelled from Australia to the port city of Ensenada for the trial, which began on 8 September. Rhoad's mother, Page, and his widow, Natalie Weirtz, will also participate in the hearing in a video call from the United States.
Attack during camping trip
The surfers were camping in a remote beachside area when they were allegedly attacked in April 2024. Their bodies were found in a clifftop shaft, with gunshot wounds to their heads. Addressing the court at the start of the trial, Martin Robinson described his sons' alleged murders as "hell". "It's hard for a parent to lose a son, and we lost two sons," he said.
Authorities allege the men were killed during an attempt to steal their pickup truck, which was later found burned near their bodies. Jesus Gerardo is accused of leading the alleged attack. His surname has not been disclosed for legal reasons. His girlfriend was sentenced at a separate trial in November to two decades in prison after admitting that she instigated the robbery.
Violence in Baja California
Baja California is one of Mexico's most violent states, plagued by organised crime and drug trafficking, although cartel activity does not usually affect tourists. Other foreign visitors have, however, been targeted in criminal attacks on Mexico's Pacific coast. Two Australian surfers, Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, were killed in 2015 while traveling through the north-western state of Sinaloa. Their bodies were later burned.
