GATESVILLE, Texas—A 16-year-old from Gatesville charged over the 2007 slaying of his father has pleaded guilty to murder.

The penalty phase begins Wednesday in Gatesville for James Michael Grant II. Court officials say the teen faces up to 50 years in prison.

Grant, who was certified to stand trial as an adult, entered the guilty plea Monday as jury selection was to begin.

The body of James Michael Grant was discovered in September 2007 along a road. The victim had been stabbed.

Investigators have said they believe the father was slain at his home, then the body was moved and dumped.

The teen’s mother, Leslie Megan Lewis-Grant and her boyfriend, John Tarrell Hopkins, face trial later on capital murder charges.