Who's responsible for Fair tragedy?

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The two investigative reports released today outline numerous problems that resulted in the catastrophic collapse: structural problems, planning problems and people problems. But as for who was to blame, that remains fairly unclear.

"These investigations were never intended as a means of placing blame," said Fair Commission Chairman Andre Lacy.

During the three-hour briefing, not one word was mentioned as to who was to blame for the collapse. While the Witt Associates investigation found the Fair's emergency preparedness plan was inadequate, Lacy stopped short of taking responsibility for that.

"Whether it is failure or otherwise, there could have been more clarity in terms of the expectation," he said.

Witt Associates found the deaths and injuries of Aug. 13 could have been avoided if someone had simply listened to a weather radio and acted upon the Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued minutes before the collapse.

Fair Commission Executive Director Cindy Hoye came the closest to shouldering some responsibility.

We learned since the collapse, she had offered several times to step down from her position. But her resignation was not accepted by the commission's chairman.

"I understand the need for accountability, and I have always been honored to be part of this great institution," Hoye said.

Mid-America Sound hasn't taken any responsibility for the collapse either. In court documents filed earlier, the company said it only leased the roof structure to the Fair Commission and was not responsible for building the structure.

Despite two in-depth investigations, it appears it will be up to a judge and jury to decide who is to blame.

"At the end of the day we cannot lose sight of the fact that the people who were in control of this performance, who were the decision-makers, need to be held accountable," said Donald Asher, spokesperson for injury lawyer Ken Allen.

Don't expect Sugarland band members to take any responsibility either.

According to the Witt Associates' investigation, it wasn't the band members but their tour manager who refused to delay the concert. And it appears that tour manager was unaware of the severity of the weather moving in.