Administrators interviewed by The Dartmouth yesterday expressed feelings of relief and shock on hearing that two high school students are being pursued for the slayings of Half and Susanne Zantop.
"It made me feel like 'Oh, wow, they're getting someplace,'" said Dean of Residential Life Martin Redman after hearing the announcement early Saturday morning that officials had issued arrest warrants for James Parker, 16, and Robert Tulloch, 17.
"It's a great relief," commented Dean of the Faculty Edward Berger of the announcement.
Though authorities have not yet released additional information regarding Parker and Tulloch's implication in the murders, administrators noted they felt the warrants issued for the two boys constitute an essential solution to the double homicide.
"Apparently, the crime has been solved," Berger said.
"[I feel] relief that it's not a mystery anymore," said a faculty member who wished to remain anonymous.
Faculty members contacted by The Dartmouth last night said they were asked by the College's Office of General Counsel to refrain from speaking to the press.
Emotional closure may be more easily attained by the general community thanks to the announcement that authorities have identifiable suspects, noted Redman.
"For those who lost good friends or parents, it will never be closed," he acknowledged.
Administrators noted they were shocked by the age of the suspects.
"It's a little disquieting, I mean, these kids were in high school two weeks ago," Redman said.
"I feel sorry for the families -- obviously for the Zantop family -- but it's also got to be awfully difficult for the families of these two young men," Redman added.
Both Berger and Redman complimented the officials involved in the investigation of the murders.
"I think the police and the state authorities did a terrific job," Berger said. "They were very professional and sensitive to the community."
Administrators emphasized that the idea of two high school students being responsible for the murders seemed the stuff of popular fiction.
"I have no idea how they would have come up with [Tulloch and Parker], even watching murder movies on TV -- how the heck do they come up with that?" Redman incredulously said.
He added that because of what he called the "implausibility" of this answer to the mystery that has puzzled the Hanover community and local and state officials for three weeks, it seemed all the more likely the probable explanation.
Administrators made disparaging comments to The Dartmouth regarding The Boston Globe's story in their Friday edition which suggested a love affair involving Half Zantop may have been a motive for the murders.
"I don't read The Globe," said Redman bitingly. "I put no stock in anything they say. They could tell me it was sunny outside and I would be convinced it was raining."
"I just don't think it's a good paper," he continued.
"I was disappointed by The Boston Globe story," said Berger. "I just don't know what else to say except that."
College President James Wright told The Dartmouth on Saturday that he too, found the Globe's coverage to be "unfortunate."
Wright added he hoped the fugitive pair would be apprehended as soon as possible.
He said on Saturday that he knew of no connection between Robert Tulloch and the Dartmouth community.
"His name does not show up in any of our records," Wright said.
Though administrators said they were surprised by the fact that the primary suspects were teenagers, in light of recent school-associated violence, it was an admittedly muted surprise.
"Look what happened at Columbine a couple of years ago," Redman pointed out.
"But of course, if you let it get to you, you'd be cowering in your house all the time," he added.
Redman recalls seeing the evening news Saturday night during which a classmate of Parker's told the camera he "hoped Jimmy turns himself in."
"I guess that's where I'm coming from, too," Redman said.
