BENTON, La. — High emotions filled the 26th Judicial District Court in Bossier Parish Tuesday afternoon during a restitution hearing for a contractor who admitted earlier this year to taking money from a couple for a home construction project he did not complete.

The hearing ended without a decision from the Bossier district judge, who said he will review documents behind closed doors before deciding how much in restitution Justin Penn owes Nick and Lindsey Peters.

Penn’s attorney, Mary Winchel, argued that Penn does not owe the amount the Peters claim.

Several witnesses took the stand, including Community Bank of Louisiana Vice President Nikkie Duncan, a detective and others.

KTBS 3 first reported on this case last year, when the Peters accused Penn of stealing money intended to build

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