Ex-college soccer player charged in killing of younger brother in Princeton, New Jersey

A former college soccer player made his first appearance in court Thursday following his arrest in the grisly killing of his younger brother and a cat at an apartment in Princeton, New Jersey.

Matthew Hertgen, 31, appeared in a short video conference in which a judge rescheduled the pretrial detention hearing so prosecutors and Hertgen's attorney, Jason Matey, can gather evidence and review discovery.

Matthew Hertgen faces charges of first-degree murder, various weapons offenses related to possession of a knife and a golf club, and one count of animal cruelty in connection with the killing of his brother, 26-year-old Joseph Hertgen, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.

Prosecutor's say Matthew Hertgen called 911 late Saturday night to report a fire and a dead body at Michelle Mews Apartments, an apartment complex located a short distance from the Princeton University campus. There, police found Matthew Hertgen beside the mutilated body of his brother and a dead cat.

Joseph Hertgen was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the prosecutor's office, which is awaiting the results on an official autopsy report.

"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," the prosecutor's office said in a news release.

Both brothers are from Toms River, New Jersey, where they were star players for the Toms River North High School soccer team.

Matthew Hertgen went on to play soccer at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, while Joseph Hertgen played on the University of Michigan soccer team. Joseph Hertgen was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, according to the university's website.

If he is found guilty of first-degree murder, Matthew Hertgen could face 30 years to life in state prison, the prosecutor's office said.