Judge Susan Criss of the 212th District Court ruled today that
Browne and BP Global refining and marketing chief John Manzoni
must give depositions in the lawsuit filed by accident survivors
and victims' families. That's according to lead plaintiff attorney
Brent Coon.

A spokesman for the London-based energy company says BP will
appeal the decision.

BP Americas spokesman Neil Chapman says that neither Browne nor
Manzoni have unique knowledge of the accident.

Chapman says BP attorneys have already granted plaintiffs
access to upper-level executives with direct knowledge of the
incident.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs said they have deposed about 75
company executives, including former president of BP Products
North America Ross Pillari and BP Global refining vice president
Mike Hoffman.

Coon says that statements from Browne and Manzoni are
"critical."

A jury trial is set to begin September 18th in Galveston, about
50 miles south of Houston.