CANDLESTICK KILLER
Drug-crazed toff who clubbed Scots pal Alex Morgan to death because he ‘thought he was alien’ out after just three years
by Phoebe CookeA DRUG-crazed Swiss aristocrat who bludgeoned a Scottish pal to death with a candlestick is to be freed from jail after just three years.
Bennet von Vertes, 34, was cleared of the manslaughter of Alex Morgan after he claimed a cocaine and ketamine binge made him think his friend was a green alien.
He was originally locked up for 12 and a half years - but has now had his sentenced cut to three years after his lawyers won an appeal arguing he was not sound of mind.
It means he will go free after time already served.
Alex's devastated mother Katja Faber said last night she felt "horrified and sick" after learning Von Vertes would be released.
She said: "They are giving him his freedom because he was so high he did not know what he was doing.
"But what kind of excuse is that? It's crazy.
"My darling Alex was a kind, intelligent son who deserved a good life.
"At least when his killer was convicted it gave us some sense of justice. But this has turned my whole world back upside down."
Von Vertes' defence claimed that a cocktail of sleeping tablets, cocaine and ketamine led to the art dealer flying into a psychotic rage in Zurich in December 2014.
His lawyers claimed he'd seen his victim as an alien with a green face, red eyes and long ears who he thought was trying to kill him.
The two men had met at Regent's University in London, where Alex had recently finished a business management degree.
Alex, who went top Prince Charles' old boarding school Gordonstoun, met up with Von Vertes in Zurich while on an Alpine skiing holiday.
The original trial in Meilen heard how the killer had invited his friend to his parents' villa in the posh lakeside area of Kuesnacht.
At least when his killer was convicted it gave us some sense of justice. But this has turned my whole world back upside downKatja Faber, victim Alex Morgan's mum
They spent the night out in the city and returned to the villa at about 4am before the fight broke out.
In a drug-addled rage, von Vertes stabbed Mr Morgan with shards of glass, bashed him with a 3ft candlestick and a golden sculpture and rammed the candlestick down his throat, choking him to death.
The Court President in Zurich said: "There was an orgy of violence on the night of the attack. The living room looked like a grotesque battlefield. The accused had left a Saint Nicolas doll on the body of his friend.
"The defendant's alleged psychosis could not be disputed by the court in the appeal."
Von Vertes' conviction was downgraded to the lesser charge of "negligent killing" and he will be released after undergoing therapy for his addictions.
Von Vertes was also found guilty of raping a woman in a hotel room in London two months before the killing, as well as a range of sexual assaults.
However, three judges at Zurich's supreme court found he was unaware of what he was doing, and also cleared him of the rape.