Mexican judge to rule on three men accused of killing surfers

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 11:37 · Archive

A Mexican judge will announce his verdict Friday in the trial of three men accused of killing two Australian surfers and their American friend in Baja California in April 2024. Brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, aged 30 and 33, and their friend Carter Rhoad, 30, were shot dead during what authorities allege was an attempt to steal their pickup truck. Their bodies were found in a clifftop shaft with gunshot wounds to their heads.

Closing arguments from prosecutors and defence attorneys took place Thursday in the coastal city of Ensenada. The prosecution is seeking 150 years in prison for each of the three accused men. If convicted, sentencing will follow on Friday.

The victims' families addressed the court before the arguments began. Debra Robinson, the brothers' mother, called for 'exemplary punishment' and recalled that her sons had pleaded for mercy. She told the court: 'How can someone so kind die at the hands of such ruthless people?' Natalie Weirtz, the widow of Carter Rhoad, joined by video call from the United States, described living without her husband as 'the greatest pain of my life'.

How it is being reported

• Trial in killings of 3 US, Australian surfers in Mexico nears verdictA Mexican judge will rule Friday in the trial of three men accused of killing surfers Callum and Jake Robinson and Jack Carter Rhoad.New York Post · 9 Oct, 11:23
• Men accused of shooting Australian surfer brothers and US friend dead in Mexico to learn fate as trial concludesMartin and Debra Robinson, the brothers’ parents, will address the court before a Mexican judge hands down the verdict A Mexican judge is expected to hand down his verdict Thursday 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. Continue reading...Guardian World · 8 Oct, 21:40

In this story: Jake Robinson · Callum Robinson · Carter Rhoad · Martin Robinson · Debra Robinson · Baja California · Mexico · Ensenada

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