Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson were killed while on a surfing trip in Mexico.
Lawyers for the four people charged with the murder of Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson have asked for another court delay to discuss a potential plea deal with prosecutors.
Judge Oscar Padilla has agreed to grant them until November 13.
Judge Padilla warned all the lawyers that they would be fined if they were not prepared for the next hearing. This would be the last delay in the case.
The Accused
Three men, Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Ángel Jesús, face charges of aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, and grand theft auto over the killing of the Australian brothers and their American traveling companion, Carter Rhoad, in April last year.
Jesús Gerardo is also charged with forced disappearance. The prosecution said a fourth suspect, Ari Gisell, was facing charges of inciting a violent robbery, but was not charged with murder.
Plea Deal Discussions
Ari Gisell’s lawyer asked the judge for a delay to allow time for discussions to take place with the prosecution regarding a potential plea deal. His motion was then supported by the other defense lawyers.
The lawyer said the prosecutor’s office was seeking a 32-year sentence for his client, but he believed eight years would be more appropriate given the crime she was accused of.
Confusion in Court
There seems to be a dispute within the prosecution’s office about exactly what transpired in April. The lead prosecutor in the homicide case told the judge he did not agree with the theory that the victims were first kidnapped or detained before being killed, as his colleague had contended.
The judge expressed exasperation that there was not a consistent theory from the prosecution office at this point in the case.
The Case
Jake and Callum Robinson, and their American friend Carter Rhoad, were found dead after disappearing during a camping trip in Mexico’s remote north-west in April last year.
They had travelled south to surf while Jake, a 31-year-old doctor from Perth, was visiting Callum, 32, who was living in California after moving to the US to play lacrosse.
Cartel Links
Last week, it was revealed that two of the accused, Jesús Gerardo and Irineo Francisco, had suspected links to the Sinaloa cartel. Local authorities had previously said there was no evidence linking the killings to cartels, despite their frequent violent activity in the region.