Source : Perth Now news
The Mexico trial of the three men accused of killing Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson has had an ugly start, with witnesses reportedly intimidated in the courtroom.
On day one of the trial, which started in Ensenada overnight WA time, prosecutors told the court that two witnesses had been intimidated in the lead-up to proceedings by people connected to the accused, ABC News reported.
It came as the brothers’ parents Martin and Debra Robinson came face-to-face with the men accused of killing their sons and their American friend Carter Rhoad in April 2024.
The couple flew from Perth to Ensenada, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, to attend the trial, due to run for 20 days.
“We’re doing this because we believe Callum and Jake would want us to be here,” Mr and Ms Robinson told reporters outside court.
“We want to find out why it happened, we may never find out why but it may help fill in some of the blanks.”
Ángel Jesus, Jesus Gerardo — also known as El Kekas — and Irineo Francisco face charges of aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery and grand theft auto.
Mrs Robinson is expected to address the court during day one of the trial, while Mr Robinson is expected to speak on day two.
The parents were initially seated only metres from the defendants before being moved to a separate courtroom while three witnesses gave evidence, ABC News reported.
The first two witnesses allegedly received death threats and are now in witness protection.
The first witness, today told the court he didn’t see the murders but remembers the Australian brothers – and heard the shots.
The trial was also subject to an eleventh-hour change in running time, extending from 20 days to four weeks, with a new judge being appointed and appearing remotely because there was not enough time for him to get to Ensenada.
Mr and Mrs Robinson earlier said in a statement posted to the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation’s Facebook page that they were travelling to Mexico to attend the trial not for revenge but to “represent the immense love, heartbreak” of those who knew the victims.
“After everything we have endured, being there feels both incredibly important and overwhelmingly difficult,” part of the post read.
Prosecutors say the trio killed the brothers and their friend after a botched robbery.
The victims tried to de-escalate the situation after being ambushed by the accused group, who were attempting to steal their pick-up truck.
They were shot in the head before their bodies were dumped in a 15m well in Baja California.
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.
The case is understood to be built on evidence from 35 witnesses, who are expected to be called during the trial.
Prosecutors are seeking sentences of more than 200 years for each of the alleged killers.
