Robert Tulloch, 17, will return to New Hampshire tomorrow afternoon for his arraignment on murder charges, but James Parker, 16, will not be in back in the state for at least another week, the state Attorney General's Office said today.
In a news conference today, Senior Assistant Attorney General Ann Rice said, Tulloch will be arraigned tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. in Lebanon, however, when James Parker, 16, will be arraigned is still unclear.
Earlier today, James Parker and his attorney opted to delay his return to New Hampshire in his extradition hearing, according to Henry County, Ind., Detective Edward Manning.
Meanwhile, Tulloch waived his right to protest extradition.
The charges against Tulloch and his rights will be read by a judge in the arraignment tomorrow. A probable cause hearing to be held in Grafton County Superior Court will also be scheduled, where bail will be set.
However, Rice said she is working under the "presumption of no bail," because the charges are first-degree murder.
Tulloch will be held at the Grafton County Jail.
In Indiana, Parker will return to court for his extradition hearing at noon on Feb. 27.
"I wouldn't say it's fighting extradition," Manning said. "But they weren't prepared to make a decision today."
During the week before the next hearing, both sides -- the state's and Parker's attorneys -- will have time to file paper work "that lawyers have to file to get the ball rolling," Manning explained.
Potentially, Parker could fight extradition and remain in Indiana for weeks or months, or he could still opt to waive his right to extradition at the hearing next week and return to New Hampshire.
If Parker decides next week not to waive his extradition rights, he would be retained in Indiana without bail until the governors of the two states sign the appropriate paperwork that would bring him back.
Parker has been certified by the court as an adult in Indiana, Rice said.
During their respective hearings, both suspects were in shackles and surrounded by multiple police officers.
"That's normal procedure," Manning said of the precautions. "We always do that when charged with that type of crime."
At Tulloch's hearing, a local Indiana attorney, Edward Dunsmore, was present, but his other Vermont-based lawyer, has only communicated with him via telephone. Parker's Indiana lawyer was also his only counsel at his afternoon hearing.
Manning said both sets of parents visited their sons late last night, and, in addition, Michael Tulloch visited his son before his extradition hearing this morning. Parker's parents did not visit him today and were not at the courthouse during the hearing.
Manning said as far as he knows, the two sets of parents have not had contact with one another.
During a pre-hearing news conference, Henry County, Ind., Sheriff Kim Cronk said they have set up extra security at the prison to guard the two boys, who are not allowed contact with one another.
Manning said even after the two suspects are extradited, the Indiana police force will continue cooperating with New Hampshire officials, providing information as needed.
At the Hanover news conference, Rice said that the state's investigation into the murders is still "very active," and there has been "no lessening of the commitment of manpower." The state said previously that upwards of 35 investigators are working on the case.
"We are actively interviewing all leads," she said. There is forensic evidence still to be processed as well, she added.
Rice declined to comment on travel arrangements for Tulloch's extradition, citing the possibility of "safety concerns."
Rice also reiterated state Attorney General Philip McLaughlin's statement yesterday that the case does not merit the death penalty at this point.
She also reiterated the state's refusal to release information about the murder weapon or motive for the crime.
