Cameras allowed in Dartmouth murder case

By The Associated Press

04.04.02

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CONCORD, N.H. — The state Supreme Court yesterday issued an emergency order allowing cameras and tape recorders in court for today's proceedings in the murder of two Dartmouth College professors.

The high court ordered Grafton County Superior Court Peter Smith to permit recording devices at the hearing. He had earlier banned them.

A number of media outlets — WBZ-TV and WBZ Radio, WMUR-TV, The Boston Globe, Courtroom Television Network and Association of Broadcasters — had filed a petition to allow recording devices.

Half and Suzanne Zantop were slain Jan. 27, 2001, in their home a few miles from the Dartmouth campus.

Robert Tulloch, 18, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but changed his plea to guilty today. After questioning Tulloch, Smith accepted the plea, effectively ending a case that shocked the state.

Tulloch received a mandatory sentence for first-degree murder of life in prison without parole.

His admitted partner, James Parker, 17, pleaded guilty earlier to a reduced charge, accomplice to second-degree murder. Under a plea bargain, he was to be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison later today.

Parker had agreed to testify against Tulloch.

Update

N.H. justices to consider allowing cameras in criminal trials
State high court agrees to take up issue even though case that sparked news media's appeal is over.  06.04.02

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N.H. judge won't allow cameras in courtroom
Lawyer for news organizations says he'll continue to seek access to trial of 18-year-old charged in slaying of two Dartmouth professors.  03.12.02