Attorneys: Sugarland not cooperating

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Sugarland band members have refused to appear for depositions, according to recently-filed court documents.

The band is among a list of entities being sued after the Aug. 13 stage rigging collapse at the Indiana State Fair that left seven people dead and dozens of others injured. The collapse happened ahead of Sugarland’s scheduled performance.

Now attorneys for Mid-America Sound, the company that built the stage rigging that collapsed, are asking a judge to force Sugarland to talk.

Those attorneys want band members to testify on a number of critical issues including their decision not to postpone or cancel the show in the face of repeated warnings about the approaching severe weather.

According to the court documents, Sugarland and their attorney are the only party who has objected to taking part in a deposition.

“Sugarland has refused to appear for deposition and have failed to provide alternative deposition dates,” court documents say.

Mid America Sound, in its court filing, argues the depositions need to take place before the end of the month because the band begins a five-month concert tour in April.

A court hearing is scheduled for Friday to determine whether the request will be approved.

Mid America Sound isn't alone in wanting to question the country music duo. Attorneys representing victims of the collapse also want to be part of a deposition.

"Whenever, wherever the judge says that deposition is going to be taking place, we are going to be there and participate," said plaintiffs attorney Tony Patterson.

In earlier court filings, Sugarland blamed fans , in part, for the tragedy. The band said the collapse was "a true accident, or act of God," but said "some or all of the plaintiffs failed to exercise due care for their own safety" and “knowingly and voluntarily assumed and or incurred the risk of injury to themselves."