Sugarland depositions wrap up with Kristian Bush

CHARLESTON, W. Va. (WISH) - The second member of country duo Sugarland was deposed Friday morning in Charleston, W. Va.

24-Hour News 8 watched as lawyers filed in one after the other Friday. The issue: Why wasn't the concert canceled and who knew what, when?

Sugarland is facing the depositions to gather information about the Aug. 13 stage rigging collapse at the Indiana State Fair. Seven people died and many others were injured.

Five lawyers for Kristian Bush were with him Friday as he was deposed for hours. There were 20 lawyers in the room altogether. Another 15 attorneys were attending through video conference.

On Thursday, lead singer Jennifer Nettles was questioned for four and a half hours. Sources tell 24-Hour News 8 she testified she didn’t know anything about her right to cancel the concert. She said it was not her responsibility but that of the State Fair.

Kristian Bush was snuck into the building Friday, avoiding cameras.

Sugarland scheduled the deposition around two tour dates, halfway between the concerts. Bush was headed to Kentucky Friday after the deposition.

Sugarland attorney speaks

For the first time, a Sugarland attorney agreed to talk publicly after the deposition.

When asked directly by 24-Hour News 8 Anchor Karen Hensel: “Did your clients have any concern about the weather and voice that concern?” Sugarland attorney Bill Johnson responded: “That happened extremely suddenly, and they were in a tunnel below the stage, so what did they know and when?”

Then asked: “So they were not aware of it?” Johnson replied: “That’s what the testimony was about. I’m sure you’ve been told what the testimony was about. They were in a tunnel under the stage when this was going on, and they communicated with one person and that was it.”

Fair officials said they were told twice by the band's manager not to delay the concert. When questioned about that, Johnson said: “I suggest you go talk with the people who run the venue.”

Victim's attorneys

Two attorneys from Indianapolis representing victims were in the deposition Friday. Afterward, attorney Paul Kruse said: “Kristian Bush was forthcoming about his involvement, and he was there to perform. He did not in his own mind have responsibility or decision-making regarding the weather, but that he entrusted that to those who worked for him.”

Healing

The one thing the victims have in common is they were there as Sugarland fans. The attorneys now have the task of going back and talking to those families after just spending two days with two people they admired.

“They will have a chance to read the testimony, and it’s important because they want answers just like the general public does," attorney Tony Patterson said. "They want to know what happened, they want to know if they were let down or not. They want to know if their safety was considered and a concern of the band members and management company, and those questions were answered [Friday] to a large extent.”

Next step

Attorneys said both Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush will most likely be deposed again, as this was a limited deposition per the judge. The discussion was to center only on Aug. 13. There are at least 50 more depositions. The case could go to trial early next year.