In a Hillsborough County courtroom, a murder trial took an unexpected turn when the defendant, Robert Kessler, attempted to negotiate his guilty plea for a fast-food meal. The 74-year-old, charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a dead human body, told Circuit Judge Nick Nazaretian that he would accept a life sentence if he could get a Philly cheesesteak with onions and mayonnaise, an order of fries, and a Pepsi.
“I’ll do that for a Philly cheesesteak, an order of fries, and a Pepsi. It will save the jury time and it will save the taxpayers money,” Kessler said, according to court records. The offer was made during jury selection, as the judge was confirming whether Kessler would consider a plea deal.
Judge Nazaretian did not entertain the culinary condition. “I can’t give people food as part of a plea; that would be wrong in 1,000 ways. I can guarantee you’ll get lunch today, but I can’t guarantee what menu you’ll receive,” he responded. The judge’s refusal prompted Kessler to withdraw any intention of pleading guilty without a deal. “I don’t want to plead guilty without a deal. Just pick the jury. I want this cheese sandwich; if I get the sandwich, then I might do it, but I’m not going to get it, so I’m just going to let it pass,” he said.
A grim discovery and a tangled case
The case dates back to November 2021, when fishermen found the remains of 47-year-old Stephanie Crone Overholts in McKay Bay, near Tampa. The discovery launched a joint investigation by the Tampa Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities later determined that Overholts had been living temporarily with Kessler after they met at a local fast-food restaurant weeks earlier.
Prosecutors have gathered testimony from witnesses who saw a man matching Kessler’s description throwing trash bags into the water. More critically, Kessler’s 8-year-old daughter told detectives she overheard a heated argument between Kessler and Overholts, during which Overholts demanded $200 to leave the residence immediately. The girl’s account pointed to financial disputes as a possible motive.
Kessler, who has a visual impairment, chose to represent himself at trial, with standby counsel available. His decision to act as his own attorney added another layer of complexity to the proceedings, as he navigated legal arguments while also making unconventional requests.
The trial continues with a jury of 12 now selected. They will weigh the evidence, including the eyewitness accounts and the child’s testimony, to determine Kessler’s fate. The judge’s firm stance on the plea-bargaining process underscores the legal and ethical boundaries that even the most unusual courtroom moments cannot cross.
For the Latino community in Florida, this case is a reminder that the justice system operates under strict rules, regardless of the circumstances. While the request for a cheesesteak might seem absurd, it highlights the lengths some defendants will go to in an attempt to control their own narrative. As the trial unfolds, the focus remains on delivering justice for Stephanie Crone Overholts and her family.
