WESLEY P. HESTER TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Published: October 28, 2009

Two student journalists at James Madison University face judicial charges at the school after entering a dorm to get comments for a news story.

Tim Chapman, 21, of Chantilly, the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper The Breeze, and reporter Katie Hibson, 19, of Loudoun County, were charged by JMU's Office of Judicial Affairs with trespassing, disorderly conduct and noncompliance with an official request.

On Oct. 18, the two entered the Hillside Hall dormitory to interview students about an incident the previous day in which a female resident reported a trespasser peeking at her in the shower.

Chapman and Hibson, who say the school has violated their First Amendment rights, have found the support of the Student Press Law Center and the Society of Professional Journalists.