chost@observer-reporter.com

WAYNESBURG - It took jurors less than an hour Friday to decide Jeffrey Robert Martin should be put to death for the rape and killing of 12-year-old Gabrielle Bechen nearly two years ago.

Members of the Bechen family cried and embraced each other after the verdict was read. Martin, 51, of New Geneva did not show much emotion throughout the seven-day trial, and he remained stoic when he learned he would receive the death penalty.

None of Martin's friends or family members pleaded with jurors to spare his life during the penalty phase. An estranged daughter, who is unsympathetic to her father's plight, was the only member of Martin's family who was in the courtroom when the jury came back with their decision.

Jennifer Martin, 24, of Greensburg, called her father a "monster" and said that death is a just sentence for him. She sat with the Bechen family and held hands with Gabrielle's mother, Blanche "Mimi" Bechen, during the proceeding.

"I'm not him. I'm Jennifer, and I had no parts of this. (The Bechen family) made sure I knew that," Jennifer Martin said to reporters after court adjourned.

When reporters asked if Jeffrey Martin ever hurt her, she replied, "No comment."

Martin's criminal history includes an indecent assault charge involving a 6-year-old girl in 1989, but that charge was withdrawn. He also was accused of molesting two children in 1975, when he was about 17.

Martin's wife, Linda Martin, came to court Thursday. She sobbed from her wheelchair but was unable to testify on her husband's behalf. The defense also planned to call Martin's mother during the penalty phase, but health issues prevented that, according to Martin's attorney, Public Defender Harry Cancelmi.

"It's been my experience that Greene County jurors are always conscientious," Cancelmi said. "I respect their decision."

Shannon Presock, Gabrielle's cousin, read a statement to reporters who were gathered outside the courtroom. She thanked members of the district attorney's office, state troopers and the volunteers who looked for Gabrielle for five days in June 2006.

"We know that Gabby is looking down and smiling because justice was served today," Presock said.

Before a death penalty sentence can be rendered in Pennsylvania, the prosecution must prove at least one aggravating circumstance. In this case, the commonwealth alleged two aggravating circumstances: That Martin killed Gabrielle in the course of raping her, and that Martin killed the girl to keep her quiet about the sexual assault.

The jury determined that both aggravating circumstances were proven.

Jurors also considered various mitigating circumstances that the defense raised. According to testimony, Martin grew up in a chaotic household rife with alcoholism, physical and sexual abuse and neglect. Martin also was determined to be borderline mentally retarded.

Cancelmi, in his closing argument, said that Martin's harsh upbringing does not excuse him from criminal responsibility, but he asked jurors to consider it as they decided an appropriate punishment.

"I ask you to have the courage to set aside your outrage and your anger," Cancelmi said. "I ask that you ignore the clamoring for vengeance in the background."

District Attorney Marjorie Fox said that the rape and killing of Gabrielle "has taken away the innocence of this community."

Gabrielle disappeared from her Dunkard Township home June 13, 2006. State troopers, federal agents and numerous volunteers looked for the girl for five days until two searchers, Kim and Larry Bedillion of Waynesburg, found the girl's all-terrain vehicle. It was buried in manure on the horse farm where Martin worked.

That discovery led to Martin's arrest and eventual confession to killing the girl and burying her body and belongings. He recanted that confession when he testified in his defense earlier this week and claimed another man was responsible for the girl's death.

Judge H. Terry Grimes will formally sentence Martin in several weeks, after a pre-sentence investigation and Megan's Law evaluation are complete.

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