HOUSTON -- A 28-year-old man was convicted Thursday of killing his ex-girlfriend, whose dismembered remains were later burned on two outdoor grills.

Jurors deliberated for four hours before convicting Timothy Wayne Shepherd of murder in the death of 19-year-old Tynesha Stewart, a Texas A&M University freshman who was killed in March 2007.

Shepherd, who faces a possible sentence of life in prison, showed no emotion when the verdict was announced. Stewart's family broke down in tears.

The jury was to begin hearing evidence Thursday in the punishment phase of the case, which drew national attention after investigators said they would not search for the body because it may have ended up in one of several landfills. Officials later said they knew there were no remains to be found.

Police have said that Shepherd confessed to choking Stewart, dismembering her and burning the remains on the grills. According to court records, police recovered 30 pieces of charred bone and hair from Shepherd's apartment.

During the trial, Shepherd's attorneys argued that there was not enough evidence to convict Shepherd beyond a reasonable doubt.

However, prosecutors maintained that Shepherd had abused Stewart throughout their relationship and believed he had a "license to kill" Stewart because she "disrespected" him.