Mexican Judge Prepares Verdict in Trial of Three Men Accused of Killing Foreign Surfers

A Mexican judge is set to deliver a verdict in the murder trial of three men accused of killing Australian surfers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad. The victims were killed in Baja California state during a surfing trip in April 2024. Prosecutors are requesting 150-year prison sentences for each defendant, with sentencing scheduled for Friday if convictions are handed down.

The victims—Jake Robinson, 30, Callum Robinson, 33, and Carter Rhoad, 30—were targeted while camping in a secluded coastal area. Investigators state that the men were shot in the head during an attempted theft of their pickup truck, which was subsequently discovered burned near their location. Their bodies were later recovered from a shaft along a nearby cliffside. Jesus Gerardo, whose surname is withheld under Mexican legal protocols, is accused of leading the assault. His girlfriend received a 20-year sentence in November after confessing to inciting the robbery.

Court Proceedings and Victim Impact Statements

Closing arguments began Thursday afternoon in the port city of Ensenada, where the trial commenced on September 8. Before the verdict is announced, family members of the victims will address the court. Martin and Debra Robinson traveled from Australia to participate in person, while Rhoad’s mother, Page, and widow, Natalie Weirtz, are participating via video link from the United States. Speaking at the trial's opening, Martin Robinson described the loss of his two sons as "hell."

Security Context in Baja California

The deaths drew widespread international condemnation and highlighted safety concerns for travelers in Mexico. While Baja California frequently experiences high levels of violence linked to organized crime and narcotics trafficking, direct attacks on tourists remain relatively uncommon. Nevertheless, violent incidents involving foreign visitors have occurred previously along Mexico's Pacific coastline, including the 2015 murders of Australian surfers Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman in Sinaloa state.