Men convicted of killing Australian brothers in Mexico to spend life behind bars
The parents of Australian brothers murdered in Mexico say they are comforted their sons’ killers will never be free after a judge sentenced the three men to 158 years and nine months in prison.
Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad were killed in 2024, and last week a court found three Mexican men guilty of murder.
Jake, 31, was a doctor who was set to start a job in Geelong while his brother Callum, 32, was a lacrosse player living in San Diego. Supplied
Alleged ringleader Jesus “El Kekas” Giraldo, along with co-defendants, Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus, were found guilty of aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery and violent vehicle theft.
The tourist trio were killed after resisting an attempt to steal the tyres from their vehicle.
The attackers shot all three men before dumping their bodies in a 10-metre well.
On Saturday, heartbroken parents Martin and Debra Robinson told 9News the sentencing of the killers brought only a little comfort.
“No sentence, no matter how long, will ever bring our beautiful boys back or undo the devastating loss suffered by their family and friends,” the couple said.
The boy’s parents called the guilty verdict a “significant moment” on their path to justice. Supplied
“We take comfort in knowing that these men will be removed from society and will never have the opportunity to inflict this kind of unimaginable pain and suffering on other families.”
During the trial, it was heard that the three men begged for mercy before they were murdered, and that the killers later laughed about the fatal shootings.
Prosecutors had sought lengthy prison terms for the three killers.
Debra had asked the court to impose an “exemplary punishment”, telling the judge: “Our children were taken from us, and our lives have been changed forever.”
Jack’s widow, Natalie Rhoad, also addressed the court by video link, describing life without her husband as “the greatest pain of my life” and expressing hope his killers would seek repentance.
Photos of Callum and Jake Robinson and American Jack Carter Rhoad on the beach in Ensenada, Mexico. AP
Debra and Martin had travelled to Ensenada from Perth for the court case, with the judge agreeing to bring last week’s verdict forward so they could be there.
Judge Raúl Hernández Arellano addressed the couple directly after finding the men guilty.
“No amount of reparation can bring their children back; there is nothing I can do other than offer them a measure of justice through this. I offer my condolences,” he said.
“You, their parents, their spouse, have the right to be heard and to see some justice served.”
A fourth accomplice, Ari Gisell Garcia Cota, 23, was sentenced to 20 years in prison last November for her role in the killings.
After last week’s decision, Debra and Martin called the guilty verdict a “significant moment” in their long journey to seek justice for their two sons.
“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.”
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