A parole has been granted to a man who had been imprisoned for over 20 years for the murder of two married Dartmouth College professors in 2001.
When James Parker was 16 years old, he found himself embroiled in a conspiracy with his closest friend, which tragically led to the deaths of Half and Susanne Zantop in Hanover, New Hampshire. At present, nearing his 40s, he recently faced the state parole board after admitting guilt as an accomplice to second-degree murder. Despite serving just under the minimum 25-year-to-life sentence, Parker sought a chance for redemption and a fresh start.
Lawyer says he’s rehabilitated himself
According to his lawyer and Department of Corrections staff, he has actively pursued rehabilitation and worked towards improving the lives of his fellow inmates. During his time in prison, he successfully obtained both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. In addition to his academic achievements, he also showcased his artistic talent by creating paintings that are now exhibited within the facility. Moreover, he actively participated in various theatrical, musical, and sports activities, contributing to the overall well-being of the inmate community. Furthermore, he played a significant role in the development of educational resources for inmates.
During his parole hearing on Thursday, Parker expressed to the parole board the unimaginable horror of the crime he had committed.
During the hearing, Parker expressed remorse by acknowledging that no amount of time or actions can undo the pain he has caused. He humbly stated, “I know there’s not an amount of time or things that I can do to change it or alleviate any pain that I’ve caused. I’m just deeply sorry.”
In 2018, Parker attempted to have his sentence reduced. According to the law, he was eligible to do so since he had served two-thirds of his term. However, in 2019, he decided to withdraw the petition due to objections from the Zantops’ two daughters.
After stealing Half Zantop’s wallet, which held around $340 and a list of numbers, they quickly realized that they had forgotten their knife sheaths back at the house. In an attempt to retrieve them, they cautiously made their way back, only to discover a police officer stationed in the driveway. The presence of fingerprints on a knife sheath and a bloody boot print ultimately connected them to the crime. When questioned by the police, they immediately fled and resorted to hitchhiking westward. It took several weeks before they were eventually apprehended at a truck stop in Indiana.
Co-conspirator scheduled for resentencing hearing
Tulloch, who is now 40 years old, admitted his guilt in the first-degree murder case. As a result, he received the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without parole. However, he is expected to have a resentencing hearing in June. This comes after a 2012 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which deemed it unconstitutional to impose mandatory life imprisonment without parole on juvenile offenders. In 2014, the state Supreme Court further ruled that Tulloch and four other individuals who were sentenced as teenagers for committing murder should be re-sentenced.
Susanne Zantop, aged 55, and her husband Half Zantop, aged 62, were originally from Germany. Susanne was a distinguished professor and the head of the German studies department at Dartmouth. Meanwhile, Half taught Earth sciences at the same institution. Both professors commanded great respect in their respective fields and were held in high regard by their colleagues and students. In fact, their warm and welcoming nature extended beyond the classroom, as many of their students and colleagues were always welcome at their home, which was just a few miles away from the Dartmouth campus.
