NewsLa OpiniónOctober 27, 2026Los Angeles County
Florida murder defendant Robert Kessler offers to plead guilty in exchange for a cheesesteak
Photo: La Opinión
During jury selection for his first-degree murder trial, 74-year-old Robert Kessler told a Hillsborough County circuit judge he would plead guilty if provided a cheesesteak, fries, and a Pepsi to save taxpayers money. The judge rejected the offer, stating he cannot trade food for guilty pleas, after which Kessler asked to proceed with jury selection and stated he did not want to plead guilty.
Read the full story at La OpiniónWhy It Matters
A first-degree murder trial in Hillsborough County is proceeding with jury selection after the presiding judge rejected a defendant's conditional offer to plead guilty in exchange for specific food items.
Key Facts
- Robert Kessler, 74, appeared before Hillsborough circuit judge Nick Nazaretian on Monday, October 26, for jury selection in his murder trial.
- Kessler faces charges of first-degree murder and desecration of a corpse related to the 2021 death of 47-year-old Stephanie Crone-Overholt.
- Kessler told the judge he would plead guilty in exchange for a Philadelphia-style cheesesteak with onions, mayonnaise, 570 grams of peppers, french fries, and a Pepsi to save taxpayers money.
- Judge Nazaretian rejected the offer, stating it would be incorrect in a thousand ways to give people food in exchange for guilty pleas.
- After the judge's refusal, Kessler stated he did not want to plead guilty and asked to proceed with jury selection.
- Kessler is representing himself in the trial according to the Hillsborough County Prosecutor's Office.
- Fishermen found Crone-Overholt's dismembered remains in McKay Bay in November 2021.
- At least three witnesses reported seeing a man matching Kessler's description throwing garbage bags into the bay.
- Crone-Overholt had been staying with Kessler and his daughter before her disappearance, and had reportedly asked for $200 to leave.
Who's Mentioned
PersonNick Nazaretian“Hillsborough circuit judge presiding over the case.”OrganizationPeople“Publication whose online records were consulted regarding charges.”PersonRobert Kessler“Defendant on trial for first-degree murder and desecration of a corpse.”PersonStephanie Crone-Overholt“Victim whose remains were found in November 2021.”locationHillsborough“County where the circuit court and trial proceedings are located.”locationMcKay“Bay where dismembered remains were found by fishermen.”