Princeton, New Jersey, a man known as a Star Student in High School now accused Killing his brother And the family cat reportedly told police that he had “fit madness” when they responded to the crime scene, according to the court records they received the local news.
Matthew Hertgen (31) is Accused of murder His 26-year-old brother Joseph Hertgen in the family apartment Princeton, allegedly, with a knife and a golf club. He is also charged with cruelty to animals associated with the death of a cat.
Princeton police initially responded to a call from Matthew from 911 22 February around 11:16 pm, reporting a fire and a dead body of his brother in the Michelle Mews apartment complex.
When the dispatcher asked Matthew how his brother was injured, he said: “I will not go into more details right now” Got nj.com reads.
Matthew Hertgen is charged with the murder of his younger brother and cat in their Princeton, New Jersey, an apartment. (University of Michigan/ Prosecutor Mercer/ Google Maps)
Police arrived and found Matthew in a residence along with her brother’s body, who had significant head injuries – including the missing eyes – as well as injuries to Joseph’s chest and upper body. Police also found a blood cup with accessories and a plate, reported NJ.com, citing a document about a probable cause.
While interviewing Matthew, who obviously had cuts on his hands, he told the police that he “entered the Fit madness … Maybe like forty minutes ago.”
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Photos of Joseph and Matthew Hertgen High School.
The killing detectives were also interviewed by Matthew’s second surviving brother, who told police that the 31-year-old suspects had struggled with mental health problems for about five years.
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His brother saw Matthew earlier that day, when he experienced a depressing episode and “scary vision,” his brother told police, Nj.com reports.
Matthew Hertgen is charged with the murder of his younger brother and cat in their Princeton, New Jersey, an apartment. (Facebook)
Terrible details in a probable cause statement are likely to be discussed during Matthew’s detention hearing on Thursday at 11am, said David Gelman, executive director Gelman Law -a -ex -prosecutor in New Jersey.
“It’s very disturbing. You don’t see many such killings,” Gelman told Fox News Digital. “You see that he is very personal. … I was a prosecutor and I was dealing with the tone of murders … and as a defender, I also deal with killings. And when you see these kinds of really awful, graphic, graphic, Awful crimes. … I have the feeling that this individual definitely has a kind of mental illness. “
(LR) David Hertgen, Debra Hertgen and David Hertgen, Jr. They participate in the funeral of Joseph Hertgen at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Luke on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Rijeka Toms, Him. Joespha was allegedly killed by his brother Matthew in their apartment Princeton on February 2nd. (Stephanie Keith for Fox News Digital)
He described the hearing of custody as “like a mini trial.” New Jersey has no bail, so the hearing is to determine if Matthew is a big threat to the public that he should stay behind bars. The prosecution and defense will present certain evidence.
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“I was a defender, I wouldn’t fight it. I would say, you know what? We think there is a mental question,” Gelman said.
The public veterans’ office, which represents Hertgen, told Fox News Digital that his lawyers do not comment on cases on hold.
Matthew Hertgen appears in court at the detention hearing on February 27. (Mercer County)
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Joseph Hertgen was proclaimed dead at the scene, and his results are in progress. Local and state officials explore the death of a 26-year-old as murder.
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Joseph and Matthew Hertgen were the star of football players in high school and college. Both were athletes at Toms River High School, and Matthew studied at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Joseph Hertgen got a job to play football at the University of Michigan.
