Court grants final extension in trial over killings of Aussie surfers Callum and Jake Robinson amid claims of cartel ties and confusion within prosecution

Sky News AU

2 days ago

The trial over the brutal killings of Australian siblings Callum and Jake Robinson has been pushed back yet again, after lawyers for the accused requested more time to work on potential plea agreements with prosecutors.
The latest development came during a court session in Mexico, where Judge Oscar Padilla approved the delay until a newly scheduled hearing on November 13 but made it clear this would be the final extension granted.
He issued a stern warning to all legal teams, stating they would face financial penalties if they turned up unprepared next time.
Three of the accused - Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Ángel Jesús, are facing a long list of serious charges, including aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, and grand theft auto, linked to the deaths of the Robinson brothers and their American companion, Carter Rhoad.
A fourth suspect, Ari Gisell, is not accused of murder but is facing charges related to inciting violent robbery.
Her lawyer led the request for the delay, arguing they needed more time to discuss sentencing options with the prosecution.
None of the four accused have entered formal pleas at this stage.
Reported by ABC, court documents and reports presented during proceedings highlighted links between some of the accused and the notorious Sinaloa cartel - a group known for its bloody reign and once headed by infamous drug lord El Chapo.
The cartel connection has drawn international attention, especially after revelations that two of the suspects, Gerardo and Francisco, were moved to a maximum-security facility amid rising concern over their alleged ties to organised crime.
Last week's hearing had been delayed, determining whether Gerardo's forced disappearance charge could be rolled into the broader indictment. That charge remains a point of contention between prosecutors.
In a rare public disagreement, the lead prosecutor in the homicide case told the court he did not agree with his colleague's theory that the victims had been kidnapped before being killed, casting doubt on the consistency of the state's position.
The judge openly voiced his frustration over the disarray, saying he expected greater clarity from the prosecution ahead of the next hearing.
The alleged victims, Jake and Callum Robinson and their friend Carter Rhoad, vanished during a surfing and camping trip through north-western Mexico in April last year.
Their bodies were later found in a remote area.
Jake, a 31-year-old doctor, had travelled from Perth to visit his brother Callum (32), who was based in California playing professional lacrosse. The trio had headed south to explore the rugged Mexican coastline in search of waves.
According to court documents, Jesús Gerardo is described as displaying 'high criminal capacity, aggressiveness and emotional detachment'.
Despite initial denials from local authorities regarding cartel involvement, the transfer of the accused to the high security El Hongo prison and details emerging from court have raised further questions about the true nature of the crime.