As the Hanover and Chelsea, Vt., communities continue to grapple with last year's vicious murders of Dartmouth professors Half and Susanne Zantop, the unexpected move by alleged killer Robert Tulloch to change his plea has been met with calm rather than shock.
Tulloch's decision to abandon his insanity plea this Thursday will expedite a sense of closure to the tragedy, according to students, faculty and community members contacted by The Dartmouth.
"I mentioned to a group of campus deans today that [Tulloch's expected plea] is a reminder to look around us to see how our friends and neighbors are doing and to continue to provide support for one another," Dean of the College James Larimore said.
Larimore added that his colleagues' reactions were marked by general curiosity. "People do want to know more about how something like this could ever have happened," he said.
"We hope these new developments will provide at least some degree of closure, but at the same time it continues to be difficult for everyone who knew Half and Susanne," he said. "The only thing that will provide total closure is the passage of time and friends' support."
The avoidance of a widely-publicized trial that would cast unwanted attention on those close to the Zantop and Tulloch families was viewed favorably by those interviewed.
"I'm relieved that there isn't going to be a trial that would invite a media circus," German professor Bruce Duncan said of Tulloch's expected plea change.
Duncan, a former colleague of Susanne Zantop, said that he was not surprised by the decision, although he "wasn't expecting it, either."
"This is probably the best outcome," Duncan said.
Leslie Sonder, chair of the earth sciences department, agreed. "We're relieved that there's not going to be a trial because of the pain it would cause the Zantop family and the friends of the Zantops."
"We still miss the Zantops very much," she said, "but we're looking for a sense of closure. The media circus is disruptive to Dartmouth and the victims' families and friends."
In Chelsea, Vt., home to Tulloch and his friend and alleged accomplice, James Parker, reactions to the announcement were more subdued.
Many there seemed to have been expecting the change due to the weight of evidence prosecutors had against Tulloch after Parker agreed to testify for the state in return for a reduced sentence.
Chelsea resident Ed Kuban said that given "the history of the whole thing, it's hard to plead insanity."
Nad Battery -- father of the Tulloch's and Parker's long-time friend Kip Battery -- expressed a common sentiment in Chelsea, saying he was unsurprised the plea was changed.
"Well, Jimmy [Parker]'s already pled to it," he said.
"There's not too much talk about it all over again, even after yesterday's newsbreak," Chelsea resident Steve Watson said. "As we find out more and more, I think everyone is still in wonderment."
Watson added that the Tulloch and Parker families were still active in the Chelsea community. "We can't condemn them -- it wasn't them who did it," he said.
Jason Goodrich, who works only steps away from the Tulloch family home, said that the past year's legal proceedings have not seriously impacted the rural town. "People don't talk about it much. I don't think Chelsea's changed at all."
"In the beginning, it was a wait-and-see kind of thing," Dick Upham, also of Chelsea, said. With the release of new motives and details that point to the youths' guilt, "the town is paying less attention."
Upham acknowledged that "there are still people who would like to know the facts, but if both kids admit they are guilty, that's enough for me."
"If anything, it's brought the town together," a Chelsea girl who was close friends with both Tulloch and Parker said on the condition of anonymity. "They're still two of my best friends."
Staff writer Nathaniel Ward contributed to this report.
