Mexico murder verdict: Perth parents Martin and Debra Robinson speak after judge finds three men guilty

The Perth parents of slain brothers Callum and Jake Robinson say a Mexican court’s guilty finding against the men who murdered their sons is an important step towards justice, but will never amount to bringing their boys back.

Three men were on Friday convicted of murdering the Perth-raised brothers and their American friend Carter Rhoad during a surfing trip to Mexico two years ago.

The judge ruled the trio of Mexican defendants acted with premeditation when they shot dead the Australians near the coastal city of Ensenada on April 27, 2024.

Jesús Gerardo, known as “El Kekas”, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús were convicted of aggravated homicide and related offences. They will be sentenced in coming days, with Mexican prosecutors seeking sentences of up to 150 years.

Jake and Callum’s parents Martin and Debra have remained in Mexico for more than a month since the judge-alone trial began in Ensenada.

After the verdict, Martin Robinson spoke outside the courtroom.

“Today’s guilty verdict is a significant moment in our long and painful journey to seek justice for our beautiful sons Callum and Jake, and their friend Carter Rhoad,” he said.

“While no verdict can ever bring back our boys, or ease the heartbreak of losing them, we hope this outcome represents an important step towards justice and accountability.

“Callum and Jake had their whole lives ahead of them, filled with dreams, love and promise. We will forever carry their memory in our hearts … They will never be forgotten.”

The brothers, who were graduates of Sacred Heart College in Perth’s north, had carved out separate successful lives before they reunited for their fateful Mexican surfing quest.

Callum, who was about to turn 33, had chased his lacrosse dream to America, eventually becoming the first Australian to play the sport professionally in the United States.

Jake, aged 31, was a sports-fanatic and a doctor who had worked in hospitals across the country, including Fiona Stanley in Perth, and was set to take up a position in Geelong after the trip that had taken him to North America to see his brother.

They were travelling though Mexico’s Baja California region when they were killed. Their bodies were discovered dumped in a well on May 3, 2024 after they were reported missing.

Media in Mexico reported the parents sat hand-in-hand as judge Raúl Hernández Arellano read out his verdict and it was translated by an aide.

Evidence throughout the weeks-long trial included testimony from protected witnesses, forensic experts and the former girlfriend of one of the accused, who has already been sentenced to 20 years for her role in the robbery.

Prosecutors argued the men were killed during a robbery gone wrong, alleging the attacker’s targeted the surfers for their belongings and vehicle before shooting them and concealing their bodies.

Mr Robinson had also testified during the early stages about the life of “hell” he and his wife had lived for the two years since learning of their children’s death.

“It’s hell,” Mr Robinson told the court last month.

“It’s hard enough for a parent to lose one child but we lost two sons in horrific circumstances and it’s left a huge hole in our lives,” before adding: “what we can’t understand is how they could rob the world of two beautiful men who had such bright futures”.

The defence had challenged the prosecution’s case, arguing there was insufficient evidence to establish the defendants’ guilt and raising concerns about the investigation and the reliability of evidence presented in court.

The Robinsons will soon begin their 15,000km return trip to Perth.

Earlier this month they convinced the judge to move his verdict forward to Friday so they could remain there in person for the crucial moment, before their pre-booked departure.