Sugarland ‘Refusing to Be Bullied’ in Court

Attorneys for Sugarland were back in court on Wednesday (March 21), answering claims that the duo, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles, aren't cooperating in lawsuits filed after August's Indiana State Fair stage rigging collapse.

According to the Indy Channel website, Mid-America Sound Corp., the company that built the rigging, has asked a Marion (Ind.) Superior Court judge to order Sugarland and their ownership company, Lucky Star Inc., to give depositions next week, before the duo begin a five-month tour in April. The group's attorneys filed a motion Wednesday asking for a protective order to delay the depositions.

"Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush have not refused to give depositions; they are simply refusing to be bullied into doing so on short notice without sufficient time to prepare," spokesman Allan Mayer said in a statement. "They and we very much share in the anguish of all those touched by this terrible tragedy, but no one's interests are served by trying to short-circuit the legal process."

In spite of the upcoming tour, Mayer said, the duo have volunteered to be available for depositions in May, adding, "In this light, Mid-America's latest filing appears to be motivated more by a desire for publicity than a sincere interest in seeing justice done."

The judge has scheduled a hearing on Mid-America's request for Friday (March 23).

Mid-America built the roof and metal rigging that held the lights and sound equipment which collapsed Aug. 13 before Sugarland's concert at the Indiana State Fair. Seven people were killed and 58 others injured.

Last month, a civil class-action lawsuit was filed by survivors and families of some of those killed. Sugarland's attorneys responded to the suit by saying that fair officials and Mid-America Sound Corp. were responsible for the stage setup, and that the fans voluntarily assumed risk by attending the show.

Sugarland's In Your Hands tour begins in Toledo, Ohio on April 5, with opening acts Lauren Alaina and Canaan Smith. Check out more information about the tour and the list of dates here.

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