CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Robert Tulloch, a Vermont man who was only 17 years old when he participated in the brutal murders of married Dartmouth College professors Half and Susanne Zantop, is petitioning for his life sentence to be reconsidered. The tragic incident occurred 25 years ago, and Tulloch, now 43, was sentenced to life without parole after pleading guilty to first-degree murder for the 2001 stabbings.
The case gained a significant legal twist following a 2012 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court which deemed mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole unconstitutional for juveniles. This landmark decision was later applied retroactively, opening avenues for many juvenile offenders sentenced to life imprisonment, including five individuals in New Hampshire, to seek resentencing. Tulloch's resentencing hearing is notably the last among this group, set to commence on Monday in Grafton County Superior Court.
While the state has not publicly stated what sentence it intends to pursue, Tulloch's legal representatives are advocating for a minimum sentence ranging from 30 to 40 years. They argue that this proposal is consistent with other juvenile murder cases in New Hampshire and across the nation that were influenced by the Supreme Court's rulings.
The defense attorneys, Richard Guerriero and Oliver Bloom, highlighted Tulloch's exemplary conduct in prison, noting that after a few incidents of misconduct early in his sentence, he has not faced any major infractions since 2012, nor minor infractions since 2017. They emphasized that much of his disciplinary history involved possessing an excessive number of books, showcasing a change in his behavior during incarceration.
In addition, the lawyers referenced Tulloch's therapy records to illustrate his profound remorse for the crime, which he has described as heinous and unforgivable. They pointed to his "warped youthful thinking" at the time and his ability to empathize with the victims and their suffering.
Details surrounding the murders reveal that both Tulloch and his accomplice, James Parker, were seeking excitement in their lives. Frustrated with their monotonous existence in Chelsea, Vermont, they formulated a plan to kill strangers, rob them, and escape to Australia. Over several months, the duo approached residents in New Hampshire and Vermont under the pretense of conducting environmental surveys, which led to their entry into the Zantops' home. Susanne Zantop, aged 55, was the head of Dartmouth's German studies department while her husband, Half Zantop, aged 62, taught Earth sciences.
During the horrifying event, Tulloch reportedly stabbed Half Zantop, subsequently directing Parker to attack Susanne Zantop, whom they both eventually stabbed. Their involvement was corroborated by fingerprint evidence found on a knife sheath and a bloody boot print. After the murders, the two fled the state and were apprehended weeks later at a truck stop in Indiana.
Parker, who was 16 at the time and cooperated with the authorities, pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to second-degree murder and was released on parole in 2024 after serving nearly the minimum term of his 25-years-to-life sentence. During his parole hearing, he expressed deep remorse for his actions, acknowledging the irreparable pain he inflicted. He remarked, "I think it’s unimaginably horrible... 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."
The Supreme Court's decisions have only addressed mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles, leaving the United States as the singular nation allowing discretionary life sentences for minors. While 28 states and the District of Columbia have removed this practice, five states continue to permit it, albeit with no active offenders currently serving such sentences. Despite calls for reform, New Hampshire lawmakers have repeatedly rejected proposals to abolish life sentences for juveniles.
Nevertheless, Tulloch's case bears the potential to influence future legislative endeavors. In 2018, he contended that sentencing juveniles to life without parole violated the state constitution. Initially, a judge sought the New Hampshire Supreme Court's input, but the court refused to engage. More recently, in July, Superior Court Judge Lawrence MacLeod sided with Tulloch, determining that such sentences violate the constitutional prohibition against cruel or unusual punishment.
In assessing how other juvenile lifers have been resentenced since the Supreme Court's rulings, a 2024 study revealed that over 75% received sentences shorter than 40 years. In New Hampshire, a few individuals have also been resentenced, with one sentenced to life without parole after declining to attend his hearing, while others received terms of 25, 40, or even 45 years to life.
