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Jun 19, 2006 6:50 pm US/Eastern
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Affidavit Reveals Details Of Girl's Death
Bobtown (KDKA) ―
The Greene County District Attorney's office released an affidavit today, revealing the details in the death of Gabrielle Bechen.
Bechen, 12, was found early Sunday morning after disappearing last Tuesday.
Her body was found buried at a horse farm near her home, state police said. The ATV she had been riding was also found partially buried in a large pile of manure, police said.
Authorities charged Jeffrey Robert Martin, a 48-year-old caretaker at the farm, with criminal homicide, aggravated assault and four counts of tampering with physical evidence.
The affidavit says that Bechen drove her ATV to the farm where Martin works on Mount Joy Road around 8:20 a.m. Tuesday. Bechen made "accusations of misconduct" against Martin.
Martin became upset and grabbed Bechen's arm. She then broke free, ran down a driveway and fell.
Martin then jumped on top of her and wrapped his hands around her throat, continuing to apply pressure until she stopped moving. Martin told police he used farm equipment to bury the Bechen and her ATV.
An autopsy is set today by Dr. Cyril H. Wecht.
Earlier in the week, Blanche Bechen had said the farm, a short way up the road from the Bechens' home, was one of the few places Gabrielle was allowed to ride to on her ATV. She said Gabrielle liked to visit a woman who lived there and loved to pet the horses and sometimes feed them.
Stay with KDKA as this story develops
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