Trial over alleged murders of Australian surfer brothers starts in Mexico

What the report says

Three men have gone on trial in Mexico over the alleged 2024 killings of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad, BBC World News reports. The judge-only case began in the coastal town of Ensenada, Baja California, where the three victims were found in a well with gunshot wounds to the head after disappearing during a surfing trip. Prosecutors are seeking prison terms of more than 200 years for the defendants, who also face robbery and vehicle theft charges.

The BBC said the accused men were moved to a smaller courtroom on the opening day amid concerns that witnesses may have been intimidated. Dozens of witnesses are expected to testify over the four-week trial. The parents of the Robinson brothers attended court and described the proceedings as both difficult and important, saying they wanted the accused to face the human impact of the case.

The case drew wide attention in Australia and in Ensenada, a tourist area where violent attacks on visitors are relatively rare even though parts of northern Mexico have long faced serious cartel-related crime. BBC World News also reported that a woman previously identified as the ex-girlfriend of one defendant was convicted last year and sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role. Prosecutors say the three men were killed in a bungled robbery; the defence has disputed that account.