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A Florida man accused of murdering and dismembering a woman made an unusual proposal in court Monday, telling a judge he would plead guilty if he received a Philly cheesesteak, fries, and a soda.
Robert Kessler, 74, appeared before Hillsborough Circuit Judge Nick Nazaretian as jury selection began in his murder trial. Kessler is charged in connection with the 2021 death of Stephanie Crone-Overholt, 47.
During the hearing, Judge Nazaretian explained that Kessler could enter an open plea and receive a sentence of life in prison, allowing the case to move forward without a trial. Kessler appeared to consider the offer for several seconds before making his own proposal.
“I’ll do that for a Philly cheesesteak, and an order of fries and a Pepsi,” Kessler told the court.
When the judge asked him to clarify, Kessler expanded on his request, specifying that he wanted “a Philly cheesesteak with onions on it and mayonnaise and fries and 20 oz. of peppers.”
Kessler said he was willing to accept the arrangement in an effort to save taxpayers the expense of a trial.
“I can’t obviously give food to people to enter a plea,” Nazaretian responded. “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.”
Kessler ultimately decided not to enter the plea. Later in the court video, he asked whether jury selection could continue.
“Don’t want to open plea,” he said. “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.”
According to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, Kessler is representing himself at trial. Court records show that he faces charges of first-degree murder and abuse of a dead body.
The case stems from the disappearance and death of Crone-Overholt in November 2021. Her dismembered remains were discovered in McKay Bay by fishermen, according to an affidavit
reviewed by PEOPLE.
The affidavit alleges that at least three witnesses saw a man matching Kessler’s description throwing trash bags into the bay. Crone-Overholt had reportedly been staying with Kessler and his daughter in the days before she disappeared.
Kessler’s daughter later told investigators that she had seen her father and Crone-Overholt arguing. According to the affidavit, Crone-Overholt had asked Kessler for $200 so she could leave.
The evidence and witness accounts will now be presented to a jury as the trial proceeds. Kessler’s decision to represent himself adds another unusual element to the proceedings, which are scheduled to continue Tuesday, October 27.
Kessler remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.