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ABC News
4 days ago
- ABC News
Defence to explore potential plea deal in murder trial over brothers killed in Mexico
Lawyers for the four people charged in connection to the alleged murder of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson have asked for another court delay, to give them more time to discuss a potential plea deal with prosecutors. Judge Oscar Padilla agreed to grant them until a new hearing date on November 13, but he said this would be the last delay in the case and warned all the lawyers they would be fined if they were not prepared for the next hearing. Three men — Jesús Gerardo, also known as "El Kekas"; Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús — all face charges of aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery and grand theft auto over the killing of the Australian brothers and their American travelling companion, Carter Rhoad, in April last year. Jesús Gerardo is also charged with forced disappearance. The prosecution said a fourth suspect, Ari Gisell, was facing charges of inciting a violent robbery, but was not charged with murder. The defendants' surnames have been withheld for legal reasons. It was Ari Gisell's lawyer who asked the judge for a delay to allow time for discussions to take place with the prosecution regarding a potential plea deal. His motion was then supported by the other defence lawyers. The lawyer said the prosecution's office wanted 32 years in prison for her, because she had the phone of one victim and her car had the robbed tires. He has asked for only eight years. None of the suspects have entered a plea to any of the charges at this point. Raúl Gerardo Cobo Montejano, prosecutor at the hearing, said in an interview with the ABC that pleading guilty gave the defendants the right to reduce their sentences, which would be negotiated for each one. The legal manoeuvrer was a surprise to the families of the victims, who were watching proceedings via video link. The judge asked an advocate who was attending proceedings on behalf of "indirect victims" to talk to them privately about what had occurred in court. Last week's hearing was postponed to allow time for both sides to consider arguments about whether to combine El Kekas's forced disappearance charge with the other charges. But there seems to be a dispute within the prosecution's office about exactly what transpired in April. The lead prosecutor in the homicide case told the judge he did not agree with the theory that the victims were first kidnapped or detained before being killed, as his colleague had contended. The judge expressed exasperation that there was not a consistent theory from the prosecution office at this point in the case. The judge has allowed the forced disappearance charge to be rolled in with the other charges but it is unclear which will be the working theory when the case resumes. Jake and Callum Robinson, and their American friend Carter Rhoad, were found dead after disappearing during a camping trip in Mexico's remote north-west in April last year. They had travelled south to surf while Jake, a 31-year-old doctor from Perth, was visiting Callum, 32, who was living in California after moving to the US to play lacrosse. Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, Ángel Jesús and Ari Gisell all face charges of aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery and grand theft auto. Jesús Gerardo is also charged with forced disappearance. The defendants' surnames have been withheld for legal reasons. Last week, the ABC revealed two of the accused, Jesús Gerardo and Irineo Francisco, had suspected links to the Sinaloa cartel. Local authorities had previously said there was no evidence linking the killings to cartels, despite their frequent violent activity in the region. A court document said the men were transferred from the local Ensenada jail to the maximum-security El Hongo complex last August, after prison authorities raised concerns about their alleged cartel links. The Sinaloa cartel, which was once led by the high-profile crime boss El Chapo, is considered one of Mexico's most brutal.
ABC News
11-07-2025
- ABC News
Prosecutors prepare case against accused killers of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson
The Mexican prosecutor leading the case against the suspected murderers of Australian surfers Jake and Callum Robinson says there is still no evidence of cartel involvement. Instead, Miguel Ángel Gaxiola Rodríguez maintains the primary motive for the brutal slayings was to steal the tyres off the vehicle the brothers were travelling in with their American friend, Carter Rhoad. Four people have now been charged with the murders of the three men in a remote part of northern Mexico in April last year. Jesús Gerardo, known as "El Kekas", his then-girlfriend Ari Gisell, and Ángel Jesús were arrested soon after the killings. Their surnames, not reported here, are suppressed under local laws. The ABC can now also name a fourth defendant, Irineo Francisco, who was arrested later and is set to be tried alongside the trio. Speaking to the ABC ahead of court proceedings next week, Mr Gaxiola Rodríguez confirmed prosecutors would pursue the robbery-gone-wrong theory. "It appears that the perpetrators identified an opportunity for robbery when they encountered the foreigners in a highly isolated location," he said. The former director of the Ensenada Police Department, Jesús Luna Lezama, previously told the ABC the murders had the "hallmarks of organised crime". The murders took place in an area notorious for cartel activity. Investigators say all three men were killed with a single gunshot to the head before their bodies were disposed of in a well. A body unrelated to the case was also discovered in the well. The three men have been charged with aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto, and forced disappearance. Ari Gisell faces the same charges, minus forced disappearance. Two separate court hearings are scheduled for July 17; one for the three men accused of forced disappearance, the other for all four defendants. It is likely the court will hear what sentences the prosecution is seeking. The maximum sentence for homicide is 60 years. Mr Gaxiola Rodríguez said the state had a strong case. "We have compelling evidence, including witness statements, and we have found the vehicle," he said. "The objective is to ensure that the accused are brought to trial and convicted of the homicide and robbery." Jesús Gerardo was the first suspect to be arrested and charged after the men disappeared while surfing and camping in Mexico's Baja California region. A court heard his then-girlfriend told investigators Jesús Gerardo had told her: "I f****ed up three gringos." In May, a monument composed of wooden statues was installed in Punta San José to commemorate the brothers and their friend. Two of the statues are closer together, while one stands slightly apart. The memorial was unveiled by members of the Baja California Surfers Association in the presence of Rachel Moseley, the Australian ambassador to Mexico. Antonio Otañez, president of the association, said it was created to show support for his fellow surfers from Australia and the US. The same group also organised a protest against violence in the area a year earlier.
