James Parker, a high school student, was granted parole after spending nearly 25 years behind bars for the murder of Dartmouth professors Half and Susanne Zantop in 2001. Parker, along with Robert Tulloch, had devised a plan to rob the Zantops in order to finance a move to Australia. The teenagers gained entry into the Zantops’ New Hampshire home under the guise of conducting a survey on climate issues and proceeded to fatally stab both professors. The duo only managed to steal $340 before being apprehended by police.
Despite initial suspicions of a crime of passion, police were able to identify Parker and Tulloch as suspects through fingerprints on the bloody knife sheaths and a boot print at the crime scene. Both teenagers were ultimately arrested three weeks after the murders. Parker, now nearly 40, expressed deep remorse for his actions during his recent parole hearing. Despite the heinous nature of their crime, those who knew the boys described them as class clowns with no history of violence.
Parker’s attorney emphasized his client’s exemplary behavior during his time in prison, where he pursued higher education, engaged in artistic pursuits, participated in theatrical productions, and contributed to the development of educational guidelines for inmates. Parker was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years, following his testimony against Tulloch. After the Supreme Court ruled mandatory life imprisonment for juveniles unconstitutional in 2012, Parker successfully appealed his sentence in 2018. His release could come as early as next month.
At the parole hearing, several individuals associated with the Zantops expressed their opposition to Parker’s early release, reflecting the continued pain and loss experienced by the victims’ loved ones. Veronika Zantop, the surviving daughter of the professors, expressed her sorrow over the tragedy and her gratitude for the outpouring of support. Her parents, well-respected educators at Dartmouth University, were deeply missed by their family, friends, and colleagues. Tulloch, the other perpetrator, received a mandatory life sentence without parole and is scheduled for a resentencing hearing in June.
The parole board’s decision to release Parker sparked mixed emotions, as some hoped for his rehabilitation and healing, while others opposed his early release. Despite the profound impact of the murders on the Zantop family and the broader community, Parker’s remorse and efforts towards self-improvement in prison were taken into consideration by the parole board. The tragic loss of Half and Susanne Zantop reverberated throughout the Dartmouth University community, where they were remembered for their dedication to teaching and their warm personalities. As Parker prepares to reenter society, the complexities of forgiveness, justice, and healing remain central to the ongoing aftermath of this devastating crime.
