Robert Kessler, 74, was representing himself in court in connection with the 2021 murder of Stephanie Crone-Overholt, 47, when he made an unusual offer: he would confess, but only if he received something in return.
Crone-Overholt’s dismembered remains were reportedly found around Kessler’s home. According to the New York Post, she had been staying with Kessler after the two met at McDonald’s.
During a court appearance on Monday, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Nick Nazaretian raised the possibility of Kessler entering a plea, pointing out that doing so would mean accepting “life in prison and be done with it.”
But Kessler had a condition of his own. As shown in Court TV video, he offered to confess in exchange for a Philly cheesesteak.
“I’ll do that for a Philly cheesesteak,” he said, “and an order of fries and a Pepsi.”
Robert Kessler food demand
When the judge, appearing taken aback, asked Kessler to clarify, he revised his request.
“A Philly cheesesteak with onions on it and mayonnaise and fries and 20 oz. of peppers,” he said, arguing that skipping a lengthy trial would save taxpayers money.
Nazaretian, however, made clear that he could not agree to the request as a condition of entering a plea.
“I can’t obviously give food to people to enter a plea.
“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.”
The exchange did not lead to a plea agreement. Instead, Kessler made clear that he wanted the case to proceed to trial.
After that, Kessler said: “[I] don’t want to open plea.
“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.”
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