Florida defendant withdraws cheesesteak plea offer

A Florida murder defendant pulled his offer to plead guilty in exchange for a sandwich on Tuesday.

The case has drawn national attention since a 74-year-old man named Robert Kessler made the proposal during a court appearance. The judge in the case rejected the trade, and Kessler subsequently withdrew the offer.

Kessler faces charges of first-degree murder and abuse of a dead body. He is accused of killing 47-year-old Stephanie Crone-Overholt in 2021. Prosecutors state she died while staying at Kessler's home in Lutz. An affidavit cited by People Magazine notes that Kessler's daughter saw the two arguing. Crone-Overholt had asked Kessler for $200 so she could leave. Fishermen found the victim's dismembered remains in McKay Bay in November 2021. Witnesses reported seeing a man matching Kessler's description throw trash bags into the water.

Video from Monday's jury selection shows Kessler responding to a judge's suggestion that an open plea would result in life in prison. Kessler stated, "I’ll do that for a Philly cheesesteak, and an order of fries and a Pepsi." He later specified he wanted the sandwich with onions, mayonnaise, and "20 oz. of peppers." He claimed the trade was a gesture "to save the taxpayers." The judge said, "I can’t obviously give food to people to enter a plea." The judge added, "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 Kessler then rescinded his offer. He told the court, "Just pick the jury . . If I get the sandwich, then I could go for it, but I’m not going to get it."

The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office began presenting its case on Tuesday. The office stated in a written release that it will not be distracted by the defendant's actions. "While this defendant's courtroom remarks have drawn national attention, our focus remains on seeking justice for the victim and her family," the statement read.