Callum and Jake Robinson: Chilling details emerge in Mexico trial for men accused of killing Perth brothers

A Mexican courtroom has heard chilling witness details in the trial of the three men accused of killing Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson in April 2024.

Brooke Rolfe
The Nightly
Parents of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson travel to Mexico to attend the trial of three men accused of murdering their sons during a 2024 surfing trip.

A Mexican courtroom has heard chilling witness details in the trial of the three men accused of killing Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson in April 2024.

On day one of the trial in Ensenado, which parents Martin and Debra Robinson have flown from Perth to watch unfold in person, three witnesses appeared before the court.

Jesús Gerardo, also known as “El Kekas”, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús are facing charges of aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery and grand theft auto in connection to the brothers’ and their American friend Carter Rhoad’s death.

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One witness, who according to reports appeared from a separate room with his face and identity concealed, told the court he was with Gerardo at the crime scene, where the two other accused men were present.

He waited nearby then fled when the situation escalated, he told the court, the SMH reports.

“I heard a commotion, got out of the pickup truck and took off running to my uncle’s house, where I hid in the bathroom,” he said.

Later, he saw the men again, when they threatened to kill him and make him disappear if he told anyone what he saw.

“You’re going to end up like the gringos,” he recalled being told.

Jake and Callum Robinson. Missing in Mexico.
Jake and Callum Robinson. Missing in Mexico. Credit: Instagram

An investigation from the State Attorney General’s Office found the two Perth men and their American friend were camping in a rural area of Ensenada when the local men, allegedly led by Gerardo, attacked them while trying to steal their ute.

When they tried to defend themselves, the accused shot them and threw their bodies down a well.

Gerardo’s girlfriend, Ary Gisell Silva, admitted to instigating the robbery to take the car’s tyres and was last year sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The trial is expected to hear from more than 30 witnesses across an estimated six weeks.

None of the men have entered pleas after reportedly turning down a deal that would have seen them jailed for between 47 and 52 years.

Debra and Martin Robinson.
Debra and Martin Robinson. Credit: GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP

Prosecutors are seeking sentences of more than 200 years for each of the alleged killers.

Outside court, Mrs Robinson told media that she and her husband felt it was important to be at the trial in person.

“We’re doing this because we believe Callum and Jake would want us to be here,” she said.

“We want to find out what happened. We want to find out why,” Mr Robinson said.

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