PRINCETON, N.J. (NEWS 12 NEW JERSEY) – A New Jersey man is accused of killing his own brother.
Thirty-one-year-old Matthew Hertgen was handcuffed and wearing a vest as he appeared for court on video link this week from the Mercer County Jail.
Both Matthew Hertgen’s attorney and the prosecutor said they’ve agreed to meet next week as there’s work to be done. Before the suspect’s detention is considered, an initial plea can be heard.
As Thursday’s hearing ended, Matthew Hertgen stood up, waved to his attorney, and then walked back to his jail cell.
Matthew Hertgen is accused in the murder of his 26-year-old brother, Joe Hertgen, who lived at an apartment complex in downtown Princeton.
Joe Hertgen played soccer for the University of Michigan. He recently worked as a financial analyst for a firm in Redbank.
Police revealed they were called Saturday night to Joe Hertgen’s high-end apartment near Witherspoon Street, approximately two blocks away from the prestigious Princeton University.
Police said it was Matthew Hertgen, the prime suspect in the case, who called police. He was reporting a fire within the apartment.
When officers arrived to the second-floor apartment, they found the body of the younger brother, Joe Hertgen, had been slashed and beaten.
They also found the family cat dead.
Leading up to the apparent killing, Matthew Hertgen posted disturbing and violent poetry on his social media accounts.
At this time, a motive for the alleged attack on his brother is unknown.
Copyright 2025 NEWS 12 NEW JERSEY LLC via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.