In a startling decision, James Parker, who played a role in the heinous killing of Dartmouth College professors Half and Susanne Zantop in 2001, has been granted parole after spending more than half his life behind bars. At the time of the crime, Parker was just 16 years old, and he and his accomplice Robert Tulloch, who was 17 at the time, brutally stabbed the married professors as part of a planned robbery.

Parker, now 39, pleaded guilty to being an accomplice to second-degree murder in 2004 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with credit for time served. The earliest possible release for Parker is set for May 22, 2024. As part of his parole agreement, he is prohibited from any contact with the Zantop family, the victims' relatives, and is required to undergo mental health treatment as deemed necessary.

During his parole hearing, Parker expressed remorse and described the killings as "unimaginably horrible." Understanding that no amount of time or action can rectify the pain he caused, he acknowledged his responsibility for the crime. Parker also shared that his time in prison has allowed him to learn about himself and the importance of being a part of a community.

Court documents revealed that Parker and Tulloch grew dissatisfied with their lives in Vermont and, driven by boredom, decided to flee to Australia. Their original plan was to obtain money legally for the journey, but they eventually turned to robbing and killing unsuspecting homeowners to erase any witnesses. After several failed attempts, the two teenagers targeted the Zantops' home in Hannover, New Hampshire, on January 27, 2001, due to its perceived affluence.

The Zantops unknowingly invited Parker and Tulloch in, mistaking them for surveyors. Tragically, Tulloch attacked Half Zantop, stabbing him in the chest, while Parker slit Susanne Zantop's throat. The teenagers then stole Half Zantop's wallet and fled the scene. Law enforcement used fingerprints on various items, including knife sheaths and boots, to link Parker and Tulloch to the crime.

While incarcerated, Parker has shown dedication to rehabilitation, completing high school and college, earning a master's degree, and engaging in voluntary work within the prison community. He organized a job fair for fellow inmates, received mental health counseling, contributed to prison murals, and worked to introduce theater programming behind bars.

Parker's attorney, Cathy Green, stated that her client has fully accepted responsibility for his actions and remains deeply remorseful. Previously, Parker filed a motion to suspend his sentence in 2019, but withdrew it after the objection of the Zantops' daughters.

Meanwhile, Tulloch, now 41, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and is currently serving a sentence of life in prison without parole. A re-sentencing hearing is scheduled for July, prompted by a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that deemed a mandatory life sentence for individuals under the age of 18 as cruel and unusual punishment.

The decision to grant James Parker parole has sparked debate and raised questions regarding the justice system's approach to juvenile offenders. As the parole board weighs in on Parker's remorse and commitment to rehabilitation, the Zantop family has been granted a court order forbidding any contact with him.

CNN has reached out to the Zantop family for further comment on this development.