Parents of Perth surfers killed in Mexico mark anniversary
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ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Alleged cartel links revealed as surfers' murder case delayed
Two men charged with the murders of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson in Mexico have been transferred to a maximum-security prison due to their alleged ties to organised crime, court documents have revealed. A judge has delayed two planned hearings and the matter is now due to return to court next week.
Sky News AU
4 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Man accused of killing Perth surfer brothers in Mexico's drug-running ‘hot spot' linked to organised crime, court hears
The man believed to be responsible for the gruesome murders of Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend reportedly had known links to organised crime, a Mexican court heard. Two court hearings into the trio's deaths were held back to back in Ensenada in Baja California on Thursday afternoon local time, as it was also revealed they were killed in a ''hot spot'' known for the movement of drugs over the US border. Callum, 33, and Jake, 30, and Jack Carter Rhoad, 30, were killed while on a surfing trip in the Mexican state of Baja California, an area known to be plagued by violent cartels. The trio were reported missing on April 27 and their bodies were found on May 3 at the bottom of an unused well. Initial inquiries determined the surfers were killed execution-style in an armed robbery when they tried to fight back against their truck being stolen. Four people are expected to be tried for the men's alleged murders last year. Miguel Ángel Gaxiola Rodríguez, the Mexican prosecutor leading the case against the suspected murderers, said there is still no evidence of cartel involvement, and instead maintains the primary motive for the killings was to steal the brothers' tyres. However, the court heard the area where the men had been camping before the murder, called La Bocana, is a known "hot spot" for local drug labs and marijuana plantations. The beach, which is almost two hours from a main road and only accessible by four-wheel-drive, is also reportedly used to transport drugs and migrants across the ocean to the US. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the court also heard the man suspected to be responsible for the trio's murders has a long history with law enforcement, including connections to organised crime and allegedly corrupt Mexican police officers. Jesús Gerardo, also known as 'El Kekas', Angel Jesús and Ari Gisselle were all arrested soon after the killings, while a fourth man Irineo Francisco was arrested some time later. The three men who have been charged are being tried on multiple offences including aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto, and forced disappearance. Ari Gisel faces the same charges, with the exception of forced disappearance. Gerardo's attorney reportedly 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.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Mexican authorities say Australian brothers killed near beach known for drug-running
The court heard the man believed to be responsible for the men's murders – Jesús Gerardo – has a long background with law enforcement, including connections to organised crime and allegedly corrupt Mexican police officers. Loading Jesús Gerardo, also known as 'El kekas', Angel Jesús and Ari Grisell were all arrested soon after the 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. Grisell was charged with the same offences, excluding forced disappearance. Gerardo and Francisco both appeared via video link from the maximum security 'El Hongo' prison, while Grisell and Jesús appeared in person in court on Thursday. They have different attorneys, but two failed to appear in court, leading to the pre-trial hearing being rescheduled 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. This masthead understands there have been difficulties in determining and agreeing on the facts of the case, with the district attorney confident Jesús Gerardo would be able to be convicted on a number of offences including aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery when committed at night, robbery with violence, vehicle theft with violence and forced disappearance. The other three may have their charges changed to exclude aggravated homicide. All four will remain in prison until the next hearing. A Mexican not-for-profit aimed at combatting corruption said it was important to see justice was 'finally getting back on track' in a country where '99 per cent of murders never see light'. Impunidad Cero said the case was moving 'surprisingly fast', likely due to pressure from both the international consulate and media. It said nearly two thirds of Mexican people had lost trust in the local justice system, and 77 per cent of Mexicans believe crime is often only prioritised when it is subject to media or political pressure. Human rights organisations have said previously many victims of crime in Mexico are predominantly Mexicans, with cartels avoiding targeting tourists due to the potential of attracting attention. 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. Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime researcher Cecilia Farfán-Méndez previously said cartels rarely targeted tourists, as it was more likely to draw attention from media.
