Judge puts off decision in MySpace trial

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles judge Monday put off a decision on dismissing the case against a Missouri woman who allegedly bullied a teenager into committing suicide.

U.S. District Judge George Wu told the defense for Lori Drew to open its case while he considered the legal issues involved, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. The defense routinely asks for a directed verdict of acquittal at the end of the prosecution's case.

Drew, 49, of O'Fallon, Mo., is accused of setting up a fake MySpace page to taunt Megan Meier, 13, who eventually hanged herself. Drew is charged under a federal hijacking law and is being tried in California because that's the location of the MySpace servers.

Among the issues Wu is considering is whether Drew can be held responsible since evidence indicates she technically didn't set up the MySpace page. Testimony indicated one of her employees did.