Sugarland star Jennifer Nettles has been ordered to take the stand in a bid to settle a lawsuit relating to the deadly Indiana State Fair stage collapse last year (11).
Seven people were killed and dozens more injured when the stage collapsed onto a crowd of fans as a storm swept through the Indianapolis fairgrounds in August (11) - right before country duo Sugarland were due to perform.
Estate executors for the deceased and three injured concert goers filed a lawsuit against Mid-America bosses last August (11), alleging the firm was responsible for the tragedy since its workers were tasked with building the rigging and roof, which eventually caved.
During a deposition in January (12), Indiana State Fair Commission Executive Director Cindy Hoye claimed the band resisted delaying the start of the show despite warnings of severe weather, and on Friday (23Mar12) Marion Superior Court Judge Theodore Sosin ordered Nettles to testify and provide her side of the story.
A court date has not yet been scheduled but a deadline has been set for 15 April (12) - just two days before a meeting between all parties to discuss the possibility of a settlement.
Kristian Bush, Nettles' bandmate, will not be called to testify, according to the Associated Press.
Since the accident, the group has maintained its innocence and denied any wrongdoing, recently calling the incident an "Act of God".