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FLORIDA – A 74-year-old Florida man accused of murdering and dismembering a woman made a bizarre proposition in court this week: he would plead guilty and accept life in prison, but only in exchange for a Philly cheesesteak.<\/p>\n
Cheesesteak plea <\/p>\n
What they’re saying:<\/p>\n
Video of Monday’s jury selection shows Robert Kessler stating, “I\u2019ll do that for a Philly cheesesteak, and an order of fries and a Pepsi,” when a judge suggested Kessler could enter an open plea to get “life in prison and be done with it.”<\/p>\n
The 74-year-old murder suspect later clarified that he wanted the sandwich with onions, mayonnaise, and “20 oz. of peppers,” claiming the trade was a gesture “to save the taxpayers.”<\/p>\n
The judge quickly shut down the negotiation, stating, “I can\u2019t obviously give food to people to enter a plea,” the judge responded. “That would be wrong in a thousand ways. I can guarantee you can have lunch today, but I can\u2019t guarantee what it would be.”<\/p>\n
Following the rejection, Kessler rescinded his offer, telling the court, “Just pick the jury . . . If I get the sandwich, then I could go for it, but I\u2019m not going to get it.”<\/p>\n
2021 murder <\/p>\n
The backstory:<\/p>\n
Kessler faces counts of first-degree murder and abuse of a dead body in connection with the 2021 death of 47-year-old Stephanie Crone-Overholt.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors allege Kessler murdered Crone-Overholt while she was staying at his home in Lutz, Florida. According to an affidavit cited by People Magazine,<\/a> Kessler’s daughter witnessed the two arguing shortly before the victim disappeared, noting that Crone-Overholt had asked him for $200 so she could leave.<\/p>\n In November 2021, fishermen discovered Crone-Overholt\u2019s dismembered remains in McKay Bay. Witnesses reportedly saw a man matching Kessler\u2019s description throwing trash bags into the water.<\/p>\n (Hillsborough State Attorney\u2019s Office)<\/p>\n \u2018Seeking justice\u2019 <\/p>\n What’s next:<\/p>\n The Hillsborough State Attorney\u2019s Office began presenting its case Tuesday, emphasizing that they will not be distracted by the defendant’s antics.<\/p>\n “While this defendant’s courtroom remarks have drawn national attention, our focus remains on seeking justice for the victim and her family,” the State Attorney’s Office shared in a statement.<\/a><\/p>\n The Source: Information from this article was sourced from the Hillsborough State Attorney\u2019s Office, video of Robert Kessler’s courtroom appearance and People Magazine.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/screenshot-2026-10-28-083308.png\")
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