HOUSTON -- A crime scene deputy took the stand Monday morning in the murder trial of Timothy Shepherd.

Shepherd is accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend, Tynesha Stewart, dismembering her body, burning her remains on his patio grills and throwing them in a dumpster last spring.

Stewart, a freshman at Texas A&M, was home for spring break when he disappeared.

Last week, Quanell X told the jury Shepherd admitted to the slaying. 

Still, Stewart’s body was never found.  Since there was no body, the defense is hoping for an acquittal.

But prosecutors will likely use the deputy’s testimony to dispute that.  Investigators reportedly found Stewart’s teeth in Shepherd’s garbage disposal, among other grisly evidence.

Prosecutors reportedly have three or four more witnesses to go before turning things over to the defense.

Shepherd could face life in prison if convicted.