The Mexican prosecutor leading the case against the suspected murderers of Australian surfers Jake and Callum Robinson says there is still no evidence of cartel involvement.
Instead, Miguel Ángel Gaxiola Rodríguez maintains the primary motive for the brutal slayings was to steal the tyres off the vehicle the brothers were travelling in with their American friend, Carter Rhoad.
Four people have now been charged with the murders of the three men in a remote part of northern Mexico in April last year.
Jesús Gerardo, known as “El Kekas”, his then-girlfriend Ari Gisell, and Ángel Jesús were arrested soon after the killings. Their surnames, not reported here, are suppressed under local laws.
The ABC can now also name a fourth defendant, Irineo Francisco, who was arrested later and is set to be tried alongside the trio.
Irineo Francisco is the fourth person to be charged in relation to the killings. (Supplied)
Ari Gisell faces charges including aggravated homicide. (Supplied)
Speaking to the ABC ahead of court proceedings next week, Mr Gaxiola Rodríguez confirmed prosecutors would pursue the robbery-gone-wrong theory.
“It appears that the perpetrators identified an opportunity for robbery when they encountered the foreigners in a highly isolated location,” he said.
“These individuals exploited the circumstances to perpetrate the robbery, resulting in the fatal shooting of the three foreigners.”
The former director of the Ensenada Police Department, Jesús Luna Lezama, previously told the ABC the murders had the “hallmarks of organised crime”. The murders took place in an area notorious for cartel activity.
Investigators say all three men were killed with a single gunshot to the head before their bodies were disposed of in a well. A body unrelated to the case was also discovered in the well.
The three men have been charged with aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto, and forced disappearance.
Ari Gisell faces the same charges, minus forced disappearance.
Jesús Gerardo said “I f****ed up three gringos” after the killings, a court was previously told. (Supplied: Mexican police handout)
Ángel Jesús and his co-accused are due back in court on July 17. (Supplied)
Two separate court hearings are scheduled for July 17; one for the three men accused of forced disappearance, the other for all four defendants.
It is likely the court will hear what sentences the prosecution is seeking. The maximum sentence for homicide is 60 years.
Mr Gaxiola Rodríguez said the state had a strong case. “We have compelling evidence, including witness statements, and we have found the vehicle,” he said.
“The objective is to ensure that the accused are brought to trial and convicted of the homicide and robbery.”
Loading Instagram content
Jesús Gerardo was the first suspect to be arrested and charged after the men disappeared while surfing and camping in Mexico’s Baja California region.
A court heard his then-girlfriend told investigators Jesús Gerardo had told her: “I f****ed up three gringos.”
In May, a monument composed of wooden statues was installed in Punta San José to commemorate the brothers and their friend. Two of the statues are closer together, while one stands slightly apart.
Loading Instagram content
The memorial was unveiled by members of the Baja California Surfers Association in the presence of Rachel Moseley, the Australian ambassador to Mexico.
Antonio Otañez, president of the association, said it was created to show support for his fellow surfers from Australia and the US. The same group also organised a protest against violence in the area a year earlier.