Accused killers on trial for Australian brothers’ deaths sent to ‘Mexico’s toughest prison’

Two of the men accused of murdering Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad will remain in a notorious maximum-security prison in the Mexican desert while lawyers determine the facts of the case.

Two court hearings into the men’s deaths were held back-to-back in Ensenada, in Baja California, on Thursday afternoon (Friday morning AEST).

Photos of Callum and Jake Robinson and American Jack Carter Rhoad on the beach in Ensenada, Mexico.Credit: AP

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

The brothers were travelling with Rhoad, a San Diego local, and drove a Chevrolet Colorado pick-up to their Punta San Jose campsite on the region’s coastline.

Four people will be tried in connection with the men’s alleged murders.

Prosecutors believe the trio was targeted by criminals looking to steal their car’s tyres, and were killed when they resisted.

However, this masthead understands the surfing spot where the men had been camping, La Bocana, which is almost two hours from a main road and accessible only by four-wheel-drive, is a “hot spot” for local drug labs and marijuana plantations. The beach is used to transport drugs and migrants across the ocean to the United States.

It is also understood that one of the men accused of the murders, Jesús Gerardo, had a long background with law enforcement, including connections to organised crime and allegedly corrupt Mexican police officers.

Gerardo, also known as “El Kekas”, Angel Jesús and Ari Gisselle were all arrested soon after the alleged killings, while a fourth man – Irineo Francisco – was arrested some time later.

Gerardo, Jesús and Francisco were charged with aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto and forced disappearance.

Gisselle was charged with drug possession and possession of robbed articles in relation to the men’s deaths.

Gerardo and Francisco both appeared via video link from the “El Hongo” prison, while Gisselle and Jesús appeared in person in court on Thursday.

Gisselle and Jesús were manacled together at the ankles.

The ABC reported that court documents revealed Gerardo and Francisco’s alleged links to the Sinaloa cartel were behind their transfer to a prison branded as being among the world’s toughest.

Jesus Gerardo, known as El Kekas.Credit:

The men have different attorneys, but two failed to appear in court, leading to the rescheduling of the pre-trial hearing to later this month.

Gerardo’s attorney requested to join all the charges together on the same indictment to streamline further court processes.

The outcome of the request will be determined at the pre-trial hearing on July 25.

It is understood there have been difficulties in determining and agreeing on the facts of the case, and that Gisselle, Jesús and Francisco could have their charges changed to exclude aggravated homicide. All four will remain in prison until the next hearing.

The Robinson family made no statement about the proceedings other than thanking followers on Instagram for their support.

A Mexican not-for-profit aimed at combating corruption said it was important to see justice where “99 per cent of murders never see the light”.

It said nearly two-thirds of Mexican people had lost trust in the local justice system, and 77 per cent of Mexicans believed crime was often only prioritised when it was subject to media or political pressure.

Human rights organisations have said previously that many victims of crime in Mexico are predominantly Mexicans, with cartels avoiding targeting tourists due to the potential of attracting attention.

A demonstrator’s bodyboard reads in Spanish “No more violence” during protests at the death of the Robinson brothers and their American friend in Ensenada, Mexico, last year.Credit: AP

The fourth body in the well where the bodies of the men were found was believed to be that of a farmer who recently lost control of the ranch to the Sinaloa cartel.

Authorities have previously said the men’s deaths were not connected to cartel violence, and were instead petty theft gone wrong.

The Tijuana Cartel, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, and Sinaloa Cartel are warring at present for control of the region.

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