Trial Date Set For Princeton Man Charged In Brother's Murder

PRINCETON, NJ — A Princeton man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his brother is scheduled to stand trial March 18 in Mercer County Superior Court, court records show.

Matthew Hertgen, 31, faces trial before Judge Robert Lytle. Timothy McCann is prosecuting the case; Mitchell Ansell is representing Hertgen. The proceeding will be held in person.

Hertgen was charged in the February 2025 death of his brother Joseph Hertgen, 26, at Michelle Mews apartments off Paul Robeson Place near Palmer Square in Princeton.

According to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, Matthew called 911 to report a fire and a dead body inside the apartment. Officers arrived to find Joseph dead with injuries consistent with blunt force trauma and lacerations. A golf club and a knife were found near the body.

Matthew faces first-degree murder charges as well as third- and fourth-degree weapons offenses related to the golf club and knife. A dead cat found at the scene prompted an additional animal cruelty charge.

Matthew was previously represented by Jason Matey during pretrial proceedings; Ansell is now listed as defense counsel.

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