Brooks is suing to get his money back, claiming the hospital in his hometown of Yukon pledged to honor his late mother in some way. In opening statements Wednesday, hospital lawyer Terry Thomas said Brooks only expressed a "hope" that the Integris Canadian Valley Hospital would name something for his late mother.
The singer's lawyer, Lisa Riggs, told jurors the hospital promised Brooks it would light up Colleen Brooks' name "like the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles." She said Brooks was stunned and believes he was deceived.
The trial at Claremore, Okla., could take two weeks.
Dressed in jeans and a black cowboy hat, Brooks shook hands with lawyers and made small talk before proceedings began Tuesday. He was accompanied by his wife, country singer Trisha Yearwood.
