Three Baja Men Sentenced to Over 158 Years for Murder of Foreign Surfers

In Ensenada, a judge handed down a total sentence of 158 years and 9 months to Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús for the killings of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and American Carter Rhoad. The men were convicted of homicide, aggravated robbery and grand theft, and were ordered to compensate the Robinson family with 1,098,728 pesos and the Rhoad family with 549,550 pesos. The victims were attacked while camping near a lighthouse in the wine-growing valley of Santo Tomás, after the suspects pretended to need gas and later returned to commit the assault.

Evidence included a stolen phone that led police to a charred pickup truck containing personal items and a 9mm pistol belonging to Jesús Gerardo. The trial, conducted in a courtroom without a jury, lasted a little over a month, and the defense announced plans to appeal the verdict.