>>If the judge rules it was self-defense, can the State appeal this decision, or is it game over?<<
I believe it is game over at the state level, but who knows what the feds might do... probably depends on who the attorney general is when the time comes.
I think it is a given that if Obama is president when the state case disintegrates (if it does), then federal charges will be filed.
Romney’s being elected won’t impact a choice on a federal re-prosecution.
The civil right investigation will have long since been completed and the internal report filed, with a conclusion whether (re)prosecution under the civil right laws is warranted under the facts and relevant guidelines the event of dismissal or acquittal.
There is zero chance the AG will intervene politically to reverse the report, and all the other non-career staff will be Obama holdovers.