Man who killed Dartmouth professors at 17 to get a chance at parole in about 20 years, judge rules
Man Who Killed Dartmouth Professors to Get Parole in 20 Years, Judge Rules
Man who killed Dartmouth professors at 17 - Robert Tulloch, the man who killed Dartmouth professors, will be eligible for parole in approximately 20 years after a New Hampshire judge ruled on Monday. The decision allows the 43-year-old Vermont resident to seek release from prison by 2046, when he will be 62. Tulloch, who was 17 at the time of the 2001 murders, was sentenced to 45 years to life, marking a pivotal shift in juvenile sentencing following a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that deemed mandatory life without parole unconstitutional.
Juvenile Justice Reform and the Path to Parole
The ruling reflects broader changes in how the legal system treats young offenders, particularly those convicted of homicide. The 2012 decision, which focused on the fairness of life sentences for minors, led to retroactive adjustments for hundreds of cases across the U.S. Tulloch’s case is one of five in New Hampshire affected by this reform. His legal team and prosecutors reached a compromise that avoided a three-day resentencing, instead setting a parole eligibility date that balances accountability with the potential for rehabilitation.
Under the new guidelines, juvenile offenders like Tulloch are evaluated for parole based on their maturity, behavior in prison, and the severity of their crimes. His defense highlighted his disciplinary record, noting he had no major infractions since 2012. However, prosecutors argued that the brutality of the attack, which involved the deaths of two professors, warranted a longer incarceration period. The judge’s ruling acknowledges both the juvenile’s capacity for growth and the gravity of his actions, ensuring a 20-year waiting period before parole is considered.
The Crime and Its Details
The man who killed Dartmouth professors, Robert Tulloch, and his 16-year-old friend James Parker, plotted the murders over months. They posed as environmental surveyors, gaining access to homes in New Hampshire and Vermont before targeting the Zantop couple. The attack, which took place in Chelsea, Vermont, was described as premeditated and methodical. Parker testified that Tulloch first stabbed Half Zantop, then ordered him to attack Susanne Zantop, whom he also killed. The crime left a lasting impact on the community, with details of the attack still vividly recalled by those who knew the victims.
Key evidence linking Tulloch to the murders included fingerprints on a knife sheath and a bloody boot print found at the scene. After being apprehended in Indiana weeks later, both teens cooperated with investigators. Parker, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, was released on parole in 2024 at age 40. Tulloch, however, remains in custody, his fate now tied to a parole review process that could take nearly two decades to complete.
Family Reactions and Emotional Impact
Veronika Zantop, one of the professors’ daughters, voiced her concerns during the hearing. She described the man who killed Dartmouth professors as having committed a crime of “sheer depravity,” emphasizing that his actions were not impulsive but deliberate. “He wasn’t using substances, he wasn’t psychotic—there was just a lack of remorse,” she said, urging the court to ensure her parents’ killers remained incarcerated for as long as possible.
“He wasn’t using substances, he wasn’t psychotic. There was just sheer depravity,” Veronika Zantop said. “This wasn’t a crime of passion or retribution. He should remain in prison for the longest possible sentence.”
Tulloch, who abandoned his prepared statement during the hearing, appeared frustrated by the emotional weight of the testimony. His lawyers argued that his maturity and consistent behavior in prison since 2012 demonstrated readiness for parole. Yet, the judge noted that the severity of the crime required a sentence that ensured justice for the victims and their families. The case continues to highlight the tension between youthful potential and the irreversible harm caused by homicide.
The man who killed Dartmouth professors has become a symbol of the evolving standards in juvenile justice. His 45-year-to-life sentence, while more lenient than the original life without parole, still reflects the gravity of his actions. As Tulloch moves toward parole eligibility in 2046, the case underscores the complex interplay between legal reform and public sentiment. While some argue that rehabilitation is essential, others believe the man who killed Dartmouth professors should face longer consequences for his crimes.