Port city on Baja California’s Pacific coast
Three surfers from Australia and the US were killed in Baja California during a suspected botched robbery. The accused face murder and aggravated robbery charges; prosecutors say the killings occurred during a failed attempt to steal a pickup truck. The trial has included witness intimidation concerns and the sentencing pushes past 200 years for each defendant.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers have presented closing arguments in a Baja California murder-and-robbery case over the killings of four men, including three surfers from Australia and the United States. A verdict is expected Friday. Victims’ families have urged exemplary punishment as testimony described the suspects’ roles and alleged actions.
A judge in Ensenada has found Jesús Gerardo García, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús guilty of killing Australians Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad during a 2024 trip to Baja California. The court has also convicted the men of armed robbery and carjacking after testimony described a violent, premeditated attack and the victims' bodies were recovered from a well.
Sixteen Mexican nationals have been rescued after a migrant boat capsized about 140 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico. The U.S. Coast Guard, Navy and Mexican authorities are searching the area for up to 11 missing people. Survivors report 27 people were aboard; some are reported treated for shark bites and cold exposure. The incident did not occur in U.S. waters.