TAMPA, Fla. — A Florida man facing a possible life sentence offered a judge an unusual way to bring his murder trial to an immediate conclusion: Bring him a Philly cheesesteak, fries and a Pepsi, and he would plead guilty.
Robert Kessler, 74, made the proposal Monday during jury selection in Hillsborough County Circuit Court, briefly turning a discussion about his legal future into something resembling a lunch order.
The judge declined. The trial continued.
Kessler is charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a dead human body in the 2021 death of Stephanie Crone-Overholts, 47, whose dismembered remains were discovered in Tampa’s McKay Bay. If convicted of murder, he faces life in prison.
The exchange began as Circuit Judge Nick Nazaretian discussed the possibility of an open plea, which would allow Kessler to admit guilt without proceeding through a trial.
Kessler paused before naming his terms.
“I’ll do that for a Philly cheesesteak, and an order of fries and a Pepsi,” he said, according to courtroom video described by People.
He subsequently specified onions and mayonnaise on the sandwich, arguing that resolving the case would save taxpayers money.
Nazaretian made clear that the court could not offer a meal as an inducement to plead guilty. He assured Kessler that he would receive lunch, but made no promises about the menu.
With his preferred meal unavailable, Kessler abandoned the proposal and asked for jury selection to proceed. The exchange did not result in a guilty plea.
The sandwich discussion was not the last unexpected development.
Kessler, who is blind, initially chose to represent himself. By Tuesday, however, he had reversed that decision and returned responsibility for his defense to public defender Maria Dunker.
Then he told the judge he did not want to remain in the courtroom.
Nazaretian warned that being absent would prevent Kessler from helping his attorney respond to testimony. Nevertheless, the proceedings moved forward without him. The judge said jurors would be instructed not to treat his absence as evidence of guilt, Court TV reported.
Behind the unusual courtroom exchanges is a homicide case that began nearly five years ago.
Crone-Overholts had been staying at Kessler’s home before her disappearance. Fishermen discovered her remains in McKay Bay in November 2021.
According to an affidavit cited by People, at least three witnesses reported seeing a man matching Kessler’s description throwing trash bags into the water. His daughter also told investigators that Kessler and Crone-Overholts had argued before the woman disappeared.
Prosecutors allege that Kessler killed Crone-Overholts and disposed of her remains. He has pleaded not guilty, and the allegations remain for the jury to decide.
As the cheesesteak exchange attracted national attention, the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office emphasized the purpose of the proceedings.
“While this defendant’s courtroom remarks have drawn national attention, our focus remains on seeking justice for the victim and her family,” the office said.
