[Trending News] Ex-Toms River man admits ‘fit of madness’ on night of brother’s murder: court records

PRINCETON – A dead body, pools of blood and a dead, burnt cat. That’s what police officers say they found in Matthew Hertgen’s home after what he said was his “fit of madness.”

The former Toms River man accused of killing his brother called police himself around 11:16 p.m. on Feb. 22, stating that his brother had been lying dead on the floor for between 30 to 40 minutes, according to the affidavit of probable cause in his arrest. He also said there had been a fire.

During a short proceeding at the Mercer County Courthouse Thursday, Matthew Hertgen consented to remain in jail, waiving his right to a pre-trial detention hearing. Hertgen, shackled and wearing an orange jumpsuit, politely answered questions from his lawyer, Mercer County Assistant Public Defender Jason Matey, and Superior Court Judge Sherry L. Wilson, about his decision to forego the hearing.

Matthew Hertgen, 31, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his brother. He is also charged 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.

When they arrived at the residence, police found the victim dead in the dining room with a large pool of blood around his head and torso, the affidavit said. The victim was identified in the document as J.H.. but police have previously said his name was Joseph Hertgen, Matthew’s brother. He appeared to have severe blunt force trauma to the back of his head, and a laceration that exposed his chest cavity.

Joseph Hertgen also had lacerations to his right eye, which was not visible, the document said. There was a cup of what was believed to be blood, along with blood smeared eating utensils and a blood smeared plate on the dining room table next to his body.

A golf club, with blood on the head, was lying on the floor, according to the affidavit. A dead cat was found on an ottoman in the living room, appearing to have blunt force injuries and be partially burned.

Matthew Hertgen, who told police he wasn’t going to go into details about what had occurred, was detained, the document said. While putting him in handcuffs, officers noticed abrasions and scratches on his hands.

When asked what happened, Matthew Hertgen said he “went into a fit of madness, maybe 40 minutes ago,” the affidavit said.

That evening, police spoke with a third Hertgen brother who was not named in the affidavit but said he was with Matthew Hertgen that evening. He also said Matthew had suffered from severe mental illness for the last five years.

The third brother, identified as D.H. in the document, told police that he spoke to Matthew earlier that day. He had been “extremely distressed, despondent and experiencing terrifying visions.”

Wanting to help, D.H. picked Matthew up around 4:30 p.m., went to the grocery store and back to D.H.’s residence, where they stayed until around 10 p.m., the affidavit said. D.H. then drove Matthew back to his home, walking him to the door and going in the apartment to see Joseph, the affidavit said.

D.H. left and, around 10:10 p.m., texted Joseph to tell him that Matthew was struggling with his visions, and to contact him immediately if he needed any help, according to the document. Joseph responded and thanked him for the help.

At 10:28 p.m., D.H. texted Matthew, asking him to go on a hike the next day and telling him to “hang in there,” the affidavit said. Matthew didn’t respond.

After his arrest, detectives met with Matthew Hertgen at Princeton Police Headquarters for a formal interview, the document said. When they asked Matthew if he wanted to waive his rights and speak, he didn’t respond, only sat in silence.

Matthew Hertgen’s next court appearance will be at 1:30 p.m. on March 24 before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Robert Lytle.

This is a developing story. Check back on APP.com for updates.

(This story was updated to add a photo gallery)