Tulloch to plead guilty: Story in the Boston Herald. `It’s bad closure, but it ends it,” said a friend of the teens. “I know it’s anti-climactic, but it’s better for us.” Sources say Tulloch wanted to spare parents rigor and embarassment of a drawn-out trial in which their psychological histories would be key.

Also: Gelzinis Column–“Vermont town ready for truth about `the boys.'” Chelsea, Vt., resident Diane Mattoon: “What prompted them to do this? What triggered it? I don’t think we know . . . not really.”