Princeton man accused of killing younger brother faces Mercer County judge
Matthew Hertgen voluntarily consented to be detained, with seven days to appeal that decision.
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The Princeton man accused of killing his younger brother appeared in person at Mercer County Court Thursday morning.
News 12 was in the courtroom for Matthew Hertgen's hearing, where he voluntarily consented to be detained, with seven days to appeal that decision.
The court hearing took no more than half an hour. Hertgen was escorted into the courtroom wearing an orange jumpsuit, handcuffed and surrounded by officers.
Hertgen is charged with first-degree murder in addition to several other charges in the killing of his younger brother, Joe Hertgen.
During court, he sat next to his lawyer, public defender Jason Charles Matey. Matey and Hertgen went through his legal options, including the ability to appeal and/or file for an extension regarding Hertgens decision to consent to detainment.
An affidavit from the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office shares details from the night and information leading up to the 911 call.
In the document, a third Hertgen brother says he was with Matthew Hertgen earlier on the evening of Feb. 22, sharing that Matthew Hertgen had suffered from severe mental illness for the past five years and was extremely distressed, despondent and experiencing terrifying visions that Saturday.
Later that night, the third brother texted Joe Hertgen, warning Matthew Hertgen was struggling with his visions and to contact him immediately if he needed help. Joe Hertgen responded with "will do" and invited the brother to a hike the next day around 10:30 p.m. About 45 minutes later, Matthew called 911 and reported Joe dead, telling police he "went into a fit of madness."
Investigators found Joseph’s lifeless body in their Princeton apartment, surrounded by blood, along with a bloodied golf club.
The judge said the next court appearance will be on March 24.
