Rhino
06-22-2006, 07:37 AM
Farmhand to Stand Trial for Murder, Molestation Charges
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
WAYNESBURG, Pa. — A farmhand charged with strangling a 12-year-old girl told police in a recorded statement that he panicked after the girl threatened to tell her parents that he molested her.
Jeffrey R. Martin was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on homicide and other charges in the death of Gabrielle M. Bechen, who hung out on the farm where he worked because she liked to visit the horses.
Gabrielle vanished June 13 when she left her rural home to ride her all-terrain vehicle to the farm. State troopers said they found her ATV in a manure pit Saturday and questioned Martin that afternoon because his duties at the farm included hauling manure.
Martin led them to the girl's grave, officials said. Prosecutors said he confessed and played a recording of his statement in court.
"She just came out of the blue and said, 'I'm going to tell my mom and dad that you molested me,'" Martin said on the tape. "And I just panicked.".......http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,200481,00.html
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
WAYNESBURG, Pa. — A farmhand charged with strangling a 12-year-old girl told police in a recorded statement that he panicked after the girl threatened to tell her parents that he molested her.
Jeffrey R. Martin was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on homicide and other charges in the death of Gabrielle M. Bechen, who hung out on the farm where he worked because she liked to visit the horses.
Gabrielle vanished June 13 when she left her rural home to ride her all-terrain vehicle to the farm. State troopers said they found her ATV in a manure pit Saturday and questioned Martin that afternoon because his duties at the farm included hauling manure.
Martin led them to the girl's grave, officials said. Prosecutors said he confessed and played a recording of his statement in court.
"She just came out of the blue and said, 'I'm going to tell my mom and dad that you molested me,'" Martin said on the tape. "And I just panicked.".......http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,200481,00.html