Either they chose to "take the gamble" and play it to the end or they figured they would have more time between the AJL's determination on the MSD and the trial date in which to settle. The Judge "outsmarted" them by waiting untill today to issue the denial, IMHO.
I hope that you can arrange to see the trial--you deserve it. Wish we could all be there! We have waited a very very long time for this.GL, ads