An accused Florida murderer offered to confess to his crime in exchange for a Philly cheesesteak, an order of fries, and a Pepsi during a court hearing on Monday.
Robert Kessler, 74, is representing himself in the case of the 2021 murder of Stephanie Crone-Overholt, 47. Her dismembered remains were discovered around Kessler's home. Crone-Overholt had been staying with Kessler after meeting him at a McDonald's.
During the proceedings, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Nick Nazaretian suggested that Kessler could accept a plea deal and receive a life sentence, which would end the legal process. Kessler responded by stating he would agree to the deal for a cheesesteak. He later amended his request to include onions, mayonnaise, fries, and 20 ounces of peppers, claiming this would save taxpayers money by avoiding a trial.
The judge informed Kessler that such an arrangement was not possible. "I can't obviously give food to people to enter a plea," Nazaretian stated. "That would be wrong in a thousand ways. I can guarantee you can have lunch today, but I can't guarantee what it would be."
Following the judge's response, Kessler withdrew his offer, saying he did not want to enter an open plea unless he received the cheesesteak. "Just pick the jury. I want this cheese sandwich. If I get the sandwich then I could go for it, but I'm not going to get it," he said.
Crone-Overholt's leg was found by fishermen in McKay Bay in Tampa in November 2021, and additional body parts were recovered in the following days. Kessler had previously told investigators that Crone-Overholt had been staying with him and that he did not know where she had gone.
Kessler's 8-year-old daughter reportedly told investigators that she witnessed an argument between Kessler and Crone-Overholt, during which Crone-Overholt asked Kessler for $200 to leave. A subsequent police search of Kessler's car revealed blood on the hood, driver's side floorboard, and trunk. Blood matching Crone-Overholt's DNA was also found on a mattress and kitchen cabinet in Kessler's home, as well as in his minivan.
Witnesses have also stated they saw a man matching Kessler's description discarding trash bags into the bay around the time Crone-Overholt disappeared. Kessler faces charges of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.