A trial has commenced in Mexico's Baja California state for three men accused of murdering two Australian brothers and their American friend. The defendants, identified as Jesús Gerardo García, known as “El Kekas,” Irineo Francisco N., and Ángel Jesús N., appeared in court in the coastal city of Ensenada on Monday.
Prosecutors allege the trio killed Callum Ryan Robinson, 33, Jake Martin Robinson, 30, and Jack Carter Rhoad, 30, during an attempt to steal their pickup truck. The vehicle was later discovered burned near where the victims' bodies were found dumped in a cliff-top shaft with gunshot wounds to their heads. The court officials confirmed the charges include murder and aggravated robbery.
Martin Robinson, father of the Australian brothers, was present at the hearing with his wife. "I know they would want us to be here; they would do the same for us," he told reporters outside the courthouse.
Last year, García's former partner, Silva Raya, received a 20-year prison sentence after admitting to instigating the robbery with the intent to steal the pickup's tires. The trial is expected to continue on Tuesday.