Matthew Hertgen, a 31-year-old suspect from Princeton accused of murdering his younger brother and reportedly consuming his eyeball, appeared in court on Monday to learn that his case would proceed to a grand jury.

The New York Post detailed that Hertgen appeared via Zoom in Mercer County Superior Court, sporting a disheveled beard and a red crew neck sweatshirt. Assistant Prosecutor Tim McCann mentioned that there was no plea deal extended to Hertgen before the indictment stage.

As previously reported by CrimeOnline, Hertgen faces charges of first-degree murder and other related offenses concerning the death of his 26-year-old brother, Joseph Hertgen.

Police responded to a 911 call at about 11:16 p.m. on February 22, on reports of a fire and a dead body at the Michelle Mews Apartments complex in Princeton. Officers found Matthew Hertgen at the scene, identified as the caller.

Inside, they discovered his brother’s body with blunt force trauma and lacerations, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

Hertgen allegedly ripped out his brother’s eyeball after beating and slashing him to death with a knife and a golf club, in what he reportedly called a “fit of madness.” A law enforcement source told the Post that police said he may have eaten the eye.

Matthew Hertgen also allegedly set the family cat on fire. Police arrested the defendant at the scene.

“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,” Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta Marbrey said.

NJ.com reports that Judge Robert Lytle set an early May hearing for an Andrews Motion, where prosecutors will seek to compel Hertgen to provide the access codes for his cell phone and laptop. The motion is named after a 2020 state Supreme Court case that addressed the matter.

Lytle stated that the prosecution and defense had discussed the access codes, but had not yet come to an agreement.

The Hertgen brothers stood out in soccer at Toms River North High School and went on to play in college. Joseph Hertgen joined the University of Michigan.

While Matthew Hertgen lived in Princeton, he did not attend Princeton University; he attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut, graduating in 2015.

If convicted, Matthew Hertgen faces 30 years to life behind bars. Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo: Matthew and Joseph Hertgen/ University of Michigan; Wesleyan University]