GREENE COUNTY, Pa. -- Funeral services were held today for 12-year-old Gabrielle Bechen.

Her body was found Sunday on a horse farm near her home.

The farm's caretaker -- Jeffrey Martin -- will stand trial for Bechen's death.

According to the public defender, Martin said Bechen claimed she was going to tell her parents that he had molested her and he panicked.

Martin told police she threatened to sue him and he said, "That came out of nowhere."

He then said, "I grabbed her by the arm and said, 'Why would you say that?'"

Bechen got away, police said, but tripped.

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Related:
June 21, 2006: Farmhand Charged With 12-Year-Old's Death Denied Bail
June 19, 2006: Police: Man Confesses To Killing Missing 12-Year-Old Girl

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According to police, Martin then said, "I panicked and started choking her ... for a good while ... until she stopped moving."

On Saturday, Martin told police he buried the girl's body in a 6-foot grave beneath a bed of lime and horse manure.

Martin could face up to life in prison if convicted.

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