A court case that will determine the fate of one of Norwalk?s historic houses became heated Thursday in Stamford Superior Court.

The Grumman Saint John House is currently owned by the neighboring Norwalk Inn.A historical preservation expert found that the deteriorated porch of the notable home was man-made destruction.

The state has filed two motions. One claims the owner is in contempt of court for failing to comply with an order to prevent destruction. The other asks the owner to restore the structure that suffered damage as a result of neglect.

Attorneys for the owners of the Norwalk Inn disagree with the state?s charges.

?We believe that there is no law that requires us to restore a building which we intend to demolish,? said attorney Louis Ciccarello.

The hearing will continue Friday in Stamford.