Crime & Safety
Princeton Man Charged With Murder In Death Of Brother: Prosecutor
Authorities found Matthew Hertgen in the house with the body of his brother Joseph, Mercer County Prosecutor said.
PRINCETON, NJ — A Princeton man has been charged with murder and other offenses in the death of his younger brother, Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey said Monday.
Matthew Hertgen, 31, 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 in connection with the death of his brother Joseph Hertgen, 26. He is also charged with one count of third-degree animal cruelty.
According to the complaint, “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 home, Marbrey said.
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On Saturday, around 11:16 p.m., Princeton Police responded to a 911 call reporting that there was a fire and a dead body in one of the homes inside the Michelle Mews Apartments.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Matthew Hertgen, who was determined to be the 911 caller, in the house along with the body of Joseph which exhibited various injuries including signs of blunt force trauma and lacerations, Marbrey said.
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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 Matthew.
The cause and manner of Joseph's death are pending the results of an autopsy.
The first-degree crime of murder carries a sentence of 30 years to life in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000. Third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Fourth-degree crimes carry a sentence of eighteen months to 3 years in state prison and a fine of $10,000.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the prosecutor's Homicide Task Force Sgt. Will Jett at (609) 331-5010 or Detective Karl Johnston at (609) 439-5248.
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