Topline: Officials said the man also killed a cat during the incident.
Published: February 26, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Joseph Hertgen (via Locust Point Capital)
PRINCETON, NJ — Authorities say a man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his younger brother with a golf club and a knife in Princeton, New Jersey.
Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey announced that an investigation into has led to the arrest of 31-year-old Matthew Hertgen.
He is charged with first-degree murder, along with various third and fourth-degree weapons offenses related to possession of a knife and a golf club and one count of third-degree animal cruelty in connection with the death of Joseph Hertgen, 26.
The complaint alleges that Matthew “purposely or knowingly engaged in conduct that led to the death of his younger brother and caused the death of a cat that was located within the residence,” authorities say.
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, at approximately 11:16 pm, Princeton Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting that there was a fire and a dead body within one of the residences inside the Michelle Mews Apartments.
When officers responded to the scene, they found Mathew Hertgen, who was determined to be the 9-1-1 caller, in the residence along with the body of the victim, which exhibited various injuries including signs of blunt force trauma and lacerations.
Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene.
The ensuing investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, the Princeton Police Department and the State Police Crime Scene Unit, led to the charges against Hertgen, officials said.
The cause and manner of the victim’s death are pending the results of an autopsy.
The investigation into the circumstances of the murder is ongoing.
Joseph Hertgen played soccer at the University of Michigan. Matthew was also a former soccer player at Wesleyan University, according to WSFB.
Joseph was listed as an analyst at Locust Point Capital, WCAU reported.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Officials said the man also killed a cat during the incident.
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Published: February 26, 2025 8:00 am ET
Joseph Hertgen (via Locust Point Capital)
PRINCETON, NJ — Authorities say a man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his younger brother with a golf club and a knife in Princeton, New Jersey.
Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey announced that an investigation into has led to the arrest of 31-year-old Matthew Hertgen.
He is charged with first-degree murder, along with various third and fourth-degree weapons offenses related to possession of a knife and a golf club and one count of third-degree animal cruelty in connection with the death of Joseph Hertgen, 26.
The complaint alleges that Matthew “purposely or knowingly engaged in conduct that led to the death of his younger brother and caused the death of a cat that was located within the residence,” authorities say.
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, at approximately 11:16 pm, Princeton Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting that there was a fire and a dead body within one of the residences inside the Michelle Mews Apartments.
When officers responded to the scene, they found Mathew Hertgen, who was determined to be the 9-1-1 caller, in the residence along with the body of the victim, which exhibited various injuries including signs of blunt force trauma and lacerations.
Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene.
The ensuing investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, the Princeton Police Department and the State Police Crime Scene Unit, led to the charges against Hertgen, officials said.
The cause and manner of the victim’s death are pending the results of an autopsy.
The investigation into the circumstances of the murder is ongoing.
Joseph Hertgen played soccer at the University of Michigan. Matthew was also a former soccer player at Wesleyan University, according to WSFB.
Joseph was listed as an analyst at Locust Point Capital, WCAU reported.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police: NJ Man Brutally Murdered Younger Brother With Golf Club, Knife
Officials said the man also killed a cat during the incident.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 26, 2025 8:00 am ET
Joseph Hertgen (via Locust Point Capital)
PRINCETON, NJ — Authorities say a man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his younger brother with a golf club and a knife in Princeton, New Jersey.
Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey announced that an investigation into has led to the arrest of 31-year-old Matthew Hertgen.
He is charged with first-degree murder, along with various third and fourth-degree weapons offenses related to possession of a knife and a golf club and one count of third-degree animal cruelty in connection with the death of Joseph Hertgen, 26.
The complaint alleges that Matthew “purposely or knowingly engaged in conduct that led to the death of his younger brother and caused the death of a cat that was located within the residence,” authorities say.
On Saturday, February 22, 2025, at approximately 11:16 pm, Princeton Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting that there was a fire and a dead body within one of the residences inside the Michelle Mews Apartments.
When officers responded to the scene, they found Mathew Hertgen, who was determined to be the 9-1-1 caller, in the residence along with the body of the victim, which exhibited various injuries including signs of blunt force trauma and lacerations.
Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene.
The ensuing investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, the Princeton Police Department and the State Police Crime Scene Unit, led to the charges against Hertgen, officials said.
The cause and manner of the victim’s death are pending the results of an autopsy.
The investigation into the circumstances of the murder is ongoing.
Joseph Hertgen played soccer at the University of Michigan. Matthew was also a former soccer player at Wesleyan University, according to WSFB.
Joseph was listed as an analyst at Locust Point Capital, WCAU reported.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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