Man accused of brother's murder returns to court

A man from Princeton, New Jersey, is in court following the murder of his brother and a family cat. Matthew Hertgen, 31, is accused of killing his 26-year-old brother, Joseph, on February 22. He reportedly used a knife and a golf club during the attack. The incident occurred in their family apartment, and charges also include animal cruelty for the cat's death. Hertgen's court hearing is scheduled for Monday afternoon. This hearing is a pre-indictment conference, which is usually brief. Earlier this month, Hertgen agreed to remain in jail before his trial, so the prosecution did not have to provide evidence for his detention. On the night of the incident, Matthew called 911 to report a fire and his brother's dead body. When the police arrived, they found Joseph with serious injuries and a deceased cat that appeared to be partially burned. Matthew had cuts on his own hands and reportedly said he experienced a "fit of madness" shortly before. Matthew's surviving brother shared that he had struggled with mental health issues for about five years. He had seen Matthew earlier that day and noted that Matthew was experiencing a depressive episode. Legal experts suggest that a mental health evaluation for Matthew might be a key part of his defense. Joseph was a promising athlete, having played soccer at the University of Michigan. Both brothers were known for their talent in high school sports. Investigators are treating Joseph's death as a homicide, and the case continues to unfold.