Three men sentenced to 158 years each for murders of Australian and US surfers in Mexico
A Mexican judge sentenced three men to more than 158 years in prison each for the 2024 killings of two Australian brothers and an American friend near Ensenada.
What happened
Three Mexican men were sentenced to 158 years and nine months in prison each on Saturday for the murders of Australians Callum and Jake Robinson and American Carter Redd Rhoad. The three friends were shot dead on 27 April 2024 after camping on a beach near Punta San JosĂ© in Baja California state. Their bodies were found on 3 May, dumped in a well more than 15 metres deep. The judge in Ensenada found JesĂșs Gerardo GarcĂa, Irineo Francisco and Ăngel JesĂșs guilty of murder, robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence. Prosecutors said the attackers intended to steal tyres from the victims' vehicle and opened fire when they met resistance. A fourth defendant, GarcĂa's former partner, was sentenced separately to 20 years in prison in November. The killings have caused a major drop in tourist visits to the region, according to the Baja California surfers' association president.
Key facts
- Callum and Jake Robinson (Australian) and Carter Redd Rhoad (American) shot dead 27 April 2024
- Bodies found 3 May 2024 in well 15+ metres deep near Punta San José, Baja California
- Three men sentenced: JesĂșs Gerardo GarcĂa, Irineo Francisco and Ăngel JesĂșs, each 158 years 9 months
- Charges: murder, robbery with violence, vehicle theft with violence
- Prosecutors: attackers targeted vehicle tyres, fired when victims resisted
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Otago Daily Times
Judge gives three men 158 years for Australian, US surfers' murders
1News
Three men sentenced to more than 158 years for surfer killings in Mexico
A judge ruled that the three Mexican men would each serve 158 years and nine months in prison for murder, robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence.