Killer Takes Stand In Punishment Phase Of Trial
POSTED: Monday, October 13, 2008
UPDATED: 7:33 am CDT October 14,
2008
HOUSTON -- A jury heard from a man Monday whom it found guilty of killing, dismembering and burning the remains of his ex-girlfriend, KPRC Local 2 reported.
Timothy Shepherd, 28, was found guilty Thursday of murder in connection with the death of Texas A&M freshman Tynesha Stewart, 19, during spring break in March 2007.
Shepherd said he and Stewart argued while she spent the night at his apartment.
He said he wanted Stewart to explain the nature of her relationship with another man. Shepherd said she refused and grabbed a knife from an end table.
"I wasn't physical until the knife came into play," he said. "I pried it loose."
He reenacted his version of Stewart's death for the jury to see.
"I grabbed her wrist," Shepherd said. "I was afraid she was going to stab me. I put my right hand around her neck and started squeezing. I snapped."
Shepherd said he knew that Stewart had died and he panicked.
"I decided I needed to get rid of Tynesha's body," he said.
He gave the jury a detailed description of how he dismembered Stewart's body.
Police said Shepherd confessed to using two barbecue grills to dispose of her body. According to court records, police recovered 30 pieces of charred bone and hair from Shepherd's apartment.
Shepherd faces up to life in prison.
Previous Stories: - October 10, 2008: Murdered Student's Mom Testifies In Killer's Punishment
- October 9, 2008: Jury Reaches Verdict In Slain Student Trial
- October 8, 2008: Jury Deliberates Slain Student Trial
- October 7, 2008: DNA Expert: Slain Student's DNA Found On Ex-Boyfriend's Balcony
- October 6, 2008: Officer: Bleach Found In Slain Student's Ex-Boyfriend's Apartment
- October 3, 2008: Sisters Of Slain Student Testify In Murder Trial
- October 2, 2008: Slain Student's Friends Testify In Murder Trial
- September 30, 2008: Jury Selection Begins In Slain Student Trial
- March 30, 2007: Graphic Details About Student's Killing Released
- March 26, 2007: Student Slaying Suspect To Remain Jailed For 'Safety'
- March 24, 2007: Search Called Off For Missing Student
- March 23, 2007: Search For Student's Body To Begin Wednesday
- March 22, 2007: A&M Student's Body May Never Be Recovered
- March 20, 2007: College Student Missing Since Spring Break
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