Trial over alleged murders of Australian surfer brothers starts in Mexico
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Three men are on trial in Mexico for the alleged 2024 murders of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson, and their American friend Carter Rhoad, whose bodies were found in a well with gunshot wounds after a surf trip in Baja California.
- Prosecutors seek sentences exceeding 200 years for the defendants, who face charges including murder, violent robbery, and auto theft; the accused were moved to a smaller courtroom amid witness intimidation concerns.
- The victims' families attended the trial, emphasizing the personal impact of the loss and urging the accused to recognize the human consequences of their actions.
- The case shocked both Australians and residents of Ensenada, as such violent attacks on tourists are rare in Baja California despite regional cartel violence.
- An ex-girlfriend of one accused was previously convicted and sentenced to 20 years for involvement in the murders; the defense challenges the prosecution's claim that the killings resulted from a botched robbery.
