CHAPEL HILL - Judge Joe Buckner on Monday dismissed a disorderly conduct charge against student Haley Koch, who had been accused of disrupting a speech by former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo last April.

Koch's attorney successfully argued holding a banner and chanting wasn't a significant disruption.

In another case still developing at press time, two other protesters agreed to fines or community service to avoid trial on charges they disrupted former U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode's speech in April. See www.newsobserver.com for the story.

"We didn't really think we'd get a fair trial in Chapel Hill," said Michael Bandes. UNC has too much power in local government, he said.

Under cross-examination, Lt. Lawrence Twiddy testified Koch complied with his order to leave the room as Tancredo's speech began. But Assistant District Attorney Jeff Nieman countered that Koch briefly sang in Twiddy's face and tried to push her way back inside.

"I don't think the court can find that that's an acquiescence," Nieman said.

Staff writer Jesse James DeConto