Chelsea, Vt. was eerily quiet yesterday as two of its sons, Robert Tulloch and James Parker, were being sentenced for the murders of Dartmouth professors Half and Suzanne Zantop. Residents kept to themselves, glad to have the year-long saga over with, though not all agreed with the sentences issued.
Few Chelsea residents were on the streets, and the schoolyard was mostly empty. Those who were outside walked purposefully through the cold, avoiding the reporters and cameramen that clustered on the town's main square.
Those who did speak with reporters breathed a collective sigh of relief that the legal drama -- and the media circus that accompanied it -- is now over, and that the families of all involved can now begin the healing process.
Echoing a common sentiment in Chelsea, one woman at a local insurance agency said she was "just relieved for it to be done." Many said the case was not often discussed, though the topic has remained in people's minds.
Many Chelsea citizens thought it was unfair that Parker will be eligible for parole after 25 years, while Tulloch received the maximum allowable -- but mandatory -- sentence and will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Town sheriff Carol Olsen said that both should have received a sentence of life in prison. "They planned it together, they did it together," she explained.
"I just think that Parker should have gotten life without parole but I do realize that his information really helped the case," another Chelsea resident said.
Olsen -- again reflecting a common sentiment -- said that she was not surprised by the outcome of either of the hearings, though she offered an unusual explanation of the result.
"Jimmy had more money, so his family was able to get him real lawyers -- Robert got public defenders," she said, adding, "The kid that had the better lawyer made the better deal."
DeRoss Kellogg, the boys' former fifth and sixth grade teacher, said that the court proceedings went as he expected.
Nonetheless, it was hard to hear that the boys will spend so long in prison, Kellogg said.
Mark Eastman of Chelsea did not question the ruling made by Grafton County Superior Court Judge Peter Smith, saying Tulloch and Parker were only "getting what they deserve."
Residents disagreed over Tulloch's and Parker's conduct at the hearings.
"Jimmy crying was just him doing what he was told to do," Olsen said. "I'd like to feel that he has some remorse. But I feel that both of those young men were cold-blooded murderers."
The boys' former teacher, who has been in regular contract with the boys and talked to Tulloch on Tuesday, disagreed.
He added that Tulloch was upset over a Boston Globe article that portrayed him as completely devoid of remorse.
"I don't think he would have changed [his plea] if he didn't feel that way," Kellogg said.
Even with the court proceedings over and the shock of the murders somewhat dissipated, many residents still feel Chelsea has not completely recovered.
"I have felt such sadness for the parents and for all the victims," a woman who preferred not to be identified said. "I hope now that they will have a chance to heal."
