Three men have been sentenced to 158 years in prison each after being convicted of murdering three surfers — two Australian brothers and their American friend — during a trip to Mexico, authorities said.
Brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, both Australian, and their friend Carter Rhoad, a US national, were killed while on a surfing trip. Prosecutors described the killings as the result of an apparent botched robbery.
The long sentences reflect the severity of the crimes as determined by the court. Mexican criminal judgments frequently combine penalties for multiple counts into a single, cumulative term, producing totals that can far exceed a human lifespan.
The case drew attention in both Australia and the United States because the victims were foreign nationals travelling in Mexico. The sentencing closes a criminal chapter in the case, while broader questions about safety for visitors and the handling of violent crime in some parts of Mexico continue to be discussed by officials and the public.
No further details about the investigation, the identities of the convicted men beyond their sentencing, or any appeals process were provided in the initial report.