James Parker, who was 16 when he participated in a conspiracy that led to the stabbing deaths of two Dartmouth College professors in 2001, is now getting his first shot at parole after serving more than half of his life in prison. Parker, now nearly 40, is scheduled for a state parole board hearing, having pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to second-degree murder. He expressed remorse during a brief hearing in 2002, stating, “I’m sorry,” and now, years later, has earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in prison, with his accomplishments recognized by corrections staff.
Parker, who sought a sentence reduction in 2018 but withdrew the petition in 2019 after objections from the victims’ daughters, had been eligible for a reduction as he had served two-thirds of his term. Prosecutors highlighted that the Zantops’ deaths were a result of detailed criminal planning, rather than a spontaneous act, which included failed attempts to rob and kill others before targeting the professors. Despite this, Parker’s lawyer, Cathy Green, emphasized his dedication to rehabilitation and his efforts to contribute positively to the prison community.
The crime involved Parker and his friend Robert Tulloch, who were seeking funds to travel to Australia and planned to rob and kill homeowners after pretending to conduct environmental surveys. After failed attempts at other homes, they targeted the Zantop family, resulting in the brutal murders of Half and Susanne Zantop. Subsequent investigations linked Parker and Tulloch to the crime through fingerprints and other evidence, leading to their arrest. Parker cooperated with prosecutors and provided key testimony against Tulloch, who ultimately pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence without parole.
Tulloch, who was also a teenager at the time of the murders, is scheduled for a resentencing hearing in June following a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling deeming mandatory life without parole for juvenile offenders as unconstitutional. The victims, Susanne Zantop, a German studies professor, and Half Zantop, an Earth sciences teacher, were esteemed figures within their respective academic fields and beloved by many in their community. The college where they worked, Dartmouth, honors their memory with a campus memorial garden and an annual lecture in Susanne Zantop’s honor.
The daughters of the Zantop couple, including Veronika Zantop, a psychiatrist based in Seattle, have expressed profound grief and disbelief over the tragic loss of their parents. Veronika highlighted the pain and anger felt by her family and friends since the murders, emphasizing the senselessness and brutality of the crime. Despite the devastating impact of the tragedy, she strives to perpetuate the essence of her parents’ spirit and contributions. The upcoming parole board hearing for James Parker brings renewed attention to a case that continues to evoke strong emotions and reflections on the devastating consequences of violent acts.
