By BRIAN ROGERS Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Oct. 8, 2008, 12:50PM

Prosecutors this morning argued that Timothy Wayne Shepherd thought he had a "license to kill" his former girlfriend because of an abusive relationship and because she "disrespected" him.

His attorneys argued that there are too many gaps in the evidence to convict Shepherd beyond a reasonable doubt.

Shepherd is accused of strangling 19-year-old Tynesha Stewart, dismembering her body and burning her remains on two barbecue grills at his north Harris County apartment in March 2007.

After hearing closing arguments this morning, jurors are deliberating in the guilt-innocence phase of the trial. If convicted, Shepherd faces a possible sentence of life in prison.

Standing in front of a big-screen television displaying a picture of Stewart smiling in her graduation cap and gown, Assistant District Attorney Kebharu Smith said Shepherd had a history of assaulting Stewart in front of friends and family.

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