Accused killers of Australian brothers on Mexico surf trip seek plea deal

Three of the four people charged over the killing of Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad in a robbery that turned deadly are seeking to strike a deal with Mexican prosecutors and avoid trial.

A second court hearing into the men’s deaths was held in Ensenada, in Baja California, on Friday afternoon (Saturday morning AEST).

Callum and Jake Robinson were killed while on a surf trip to the Baja California peninsula last year.

The Robinson brothers, from Perth’s northern suburbs, were killed while on a surf trip to the Baja California peninsula in April last year.

They were travelling with Rhoad, from San Diego, in a Chevrolet Colorado pick-up to their Punta San Jose campsite on the region’s coastline.

Prosecutors believe the trio was targeted by criminals looking to steal their car’s tyres, and were killed when they resisted. Four people have been charged in relation to their deaths.

The court in Ensenada, in Baja California, where the accused killers of Perth brothers Jake and Callum Robinson is being held.Credit: Jordi Lebrija

During the hearing on Friday, lawyers for one of the accused – 24-year-old woman Ari Giselle, who has been charged with drug possession and possession of robbed articles in relation to the men’s deaths – indicated to the judge that she was seeking a plea deal.

That prompted the same request from two of the other accused, Angel Jesus and Irineo Francisco. They both face more serious charges – aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto and forced disappearance.

The fourth accused, Jesus Gerardo – also known as “El Kekas” – will have his charges dealt with separately because they are even more serious.

It is alleged the 38-year-old was the instigator of the killings and is believed to have had a long history of run-ins with law enforcement, including connections to organised crime and allegedly corrupt Mexican police officers.

The surfing spot where the men had been camping, La Bocana, is about two hours from a main road and accessible only by four-wheel-drive. It’s a “hot spot” for local drug labs and marijuana plantations, this masthead has previously reported.

Jesus Gerardo, known as El Kekas.Credit:

The beach is used to transport drugs and migrants across the ocean to the United States. The Tijuana Cartel, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, and Sinaloa Cartel are warring at present for control of the region.

However, authorities have previously said the men’s deaths were not connected to cartel violence.

On Friday, Gerardo’s new defence lawyer sought to have his matter adjourned for six months to allow him time to study the case, but that was denied. He has changed lawyers multiple times since his arrest last year.

Gerardo and Giselle appeared in person– wearing orange uniforms, but without handcuffs – in court under escort. Giselle was constantly touching her hair and evidently anxious, while Gerardo maintained a serious demeanour and at times had a blank stare.

Francisco and Jesus both appeared via video link from the El Hongo prison.

Callum and Jake Robinson’s parents also attended the hearing via video link, along with other friends and family of the victims.

Jesus, Francisco and Giselle will be back before the same court on November 13 to see if they have reached an agreement with prosecutors, otherwise their matter will be set for trial.

Gerardo will be back before the court on August 9.

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