Women face charges in Sugarland concert tragedy
Monday, November 28, 2011 – Two Indianapolis women allegedly filed false injury claims with the state to obtain money set aside in the wake of the Indiana State Fair tragedy at a Sugarland concert, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Investigators say neither women was at the fair on Aug. 13 when a sudden wind kicked up, toppling the staging before Sugarland hit the stage. Seven people were killed in the incident.
Stephanie Murry, 25, and Sandra Hurn, 38, face fraud charges. Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said Tuesday the pair were charged with making false claims in order to collect money from two funds set aside for victims of the tragedy from the Indiana State Fair Remembrance Fund and the Indiana Tort Claim Fund, Curry said.
"I do not understand the mentality of someone who would look at the circumstances of that night and see the potential for financial profit from this kind of scheme," Curry said in the Star article. "Most of us would look at those circumstances and feel sympathy and a desire to help assist the real victims in any way we could."
"It is particularly troubling that individuals would attempt to illegally profit upon a tragedy such as the State Fair stage collapse," Curry said. "We have zero tolerance for those who wish to gain at the misfortune of others."
Investigators started examining their claims after an Indiana State Fair Commission official, Justin Armstrong, reported to Indiana State Police that his office had received two claim claims from women seeking funds that appeared "questionable." The women submitted claims totaling $22,500.
One problem was that Hurn allegedly said Sugarland performed "a couple of songs" before the collapse. Sugarland never set foot on stage.
Hurn allegedly went to a hospital shortly after midnight Aug. 14 and later that afternoon to create a trail supporting her claims. Hurn eventually confessed to the scheme, the story said.
Hurn faces felony charges of forgery, perjury, theft and attempted theft. Murry faces felony charges of forgery, perjury and attempted theft. Hurn could receive 36 years in prison if convicted plus thousands of dollars in fines. Murry faces a maximum of 14 years in prison, if convicted, in addition to any financial penalties.
More news for Sugarland
CD reviews for Sugarland
The Incredible Machine
"The Incredible Machine" is a rather unfortunate title for Sugarland's latest full-length. Listening to Find The Beat Again, for example, makes it sound as though vocalist Jennifer Nettles wants to be Deborah Harry-fronting-Katrina & the Waves rather than, say, a latter-day Loretta Lynn. With its handclap rhythm and shouted "Hey, Hey" on the chorus, this track - along with many others - finds Sugarland firmly entrenched in a predictable pop music device. »»» |
Gold and Green
Jennifer Nettles has one of the most distinctive voices in today's country music, which makes every thing she sings oh so easy on the ears. And with this 10-song holiday CD, Nettles never fails to please, vocally. So when one of these recordings is little more than Nettles singing, and sparse banjos backing (along with Kristian Bush's complimentary vocal), as happens with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, it's a thing of simple musical beauty. Bush also takes a few lead vocals, but Nettles »»» |
Live on the Inside
Often it isn't the material chosen or the sound quality that makes a live album good or poor, but the act being captured. To that end Sugarland isn't a good band at all to capture on an audio CD. The group's live shows are renowned, and anyone who has been to one and wants a reminder of that experience will love CD/DVD.
Yet those who just want to hear good music performed by Sugarland will be disappointed. On nearly every song, Jennifer Nettles asks for audience participation and readily gets it. »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: McGraw has plenty of fight left –
Despite the fact that Tim McGraw is five years sober, fit as a triathlete and touring behind a number one album, he is still in an unenviable position. As he approaches 50, McGraw has to stay a step ahead of the current crop of young country hunks with TV shows, cross format radio airplay and wider appeal. But as he proved at First Niagara's... »»»
Concert Review: Steve Earle doesn't rest (on laurels) –
If you didn't realize Steve Earle had a new disc out, "The Low Highway," it would have been no problem realizing that quite and quickly.
That was because Earle started the two-hour show with three straight tracks from "The Low Highway," and he would not be done for the night. The title track of was a midtempo effort... »»»
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