If the judge made a ruling, she could have suppressed key evidence and the state had no case, or she could have granted a motion for acquittal. The defense makes this motion and the judge usually takes it under advisement (thinks about it) until the defense rests or at some point in the presentation of the defense. When she grants the motion it means that even if all the state's evidence is accepted as true, a jury cannot convict beyond a reasonable doubt. But Vern could be right as well. The defendant heard the evidence and got legal advice to cave to the best plea deal he could get.
