In 1981, a quiet courtroom in Brookfield, Connecticut, became the center of a media firestorm that would challenge the very foundations of the American legal system. Known popularly as the "Devil Made Me Do It" case, the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson was the first—and remains the most famous—instance of a defendant claiming demonic possession to prove their innocence in a court of law.
Whether you're a fan of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It or a true crime aficionado, the reality of this case is far more chilling than any Hollywood adaptation.
The Incident: A Town’s First Murder
On February 16, 1981, the peaceful history of Brookfield was shattered by its first-ever recorded homicide. Following a heated argument and a day of heavy drinking, 19-year-old Arne Johnson stabbed his landlord, Alan Bono, multiple times with a five-inch pocketknife.
While the physical evidence was undeniable, the motive—or lack thereof—was what sent shockwaves through the community. Johnson claimed he had no memory of the attack. His reason? He wasn't the one in control.
The Supernatural Backstory: A Demon’s Invitation
The story didn't start with a knife; it started with an 11-year-old boy named David Glatzel, the younger brother of Johnson’s fiancée. Months prior to the murder, David began exhibiting terrifying behavior:
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Night Terrors: David claimed to see a "beastly" old man with horns and jagged teeth.
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Physical Manifestations: The boy suffered from unexplained bruises, scratches, and fits of growling.
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The Exorcism: Famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were called in. During a series of "minor rites" of exorcism, Arne Johnson reportedly yelled at the entity to leave the boy alone and "take me on instead."
According to those present, that is exactly what happened. The demon allegedly migrated from the child into Johnson, lying dormant until that fateful February afternoon.
The Trial: "Spectral Evidence" in a Modern Court
When the case went to trial in November 1981, defense attorney Martin Minnella attempted a legal gambit that hadn't been seen since the Salem Witch Trials: a plea of not guilty by reason of demonic possession.
The Judge’s Ruling
Presiding Judge Robert Callahan was having none of it. He famously ruled that the "Satan defense" was simply not relevant to a court of law.
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The Reasoning: Demonic possession is an unscientific, unverifiable claim. Allowing it would set a dangerous precedent, essentially giving anyone a "get out of jail free" card by blaming the supernatural.
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The Strategy Shift: Forced to pivot, the defense argued for manslaughter based on a "self-defense" angle sparked by Bono's drunken aggression.
The Verdict and Legacy
After three days of deliberation, the jury found Arne Johnson guilty of first-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison but was released after serving only five for good behavior.
While Johnson has maintained his innocence for decades, the case remains a subject of intense debate:
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The Believers: Point to the eerie consistency of the Glatzel family's testimonies and the Warrens' documentation.
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The Skeptics: Some family members, including the oldest Glatzel brother, later sued the Warrens, claiming the entire story was a "phony concoction" designed to exploit a child's mental illness for fame and profit.
Do you believe a court of law should ever consider spiritual possession as a valid defense, or is it a dangerous slope into legal chaos?
🔗 Reliable Sources & Further Reading:
▪️ Wikipedia: The Full Legal Breakdown of the Trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson
▪️ Time Magazine: The True Story Behind the Netflix Documentary "The Devil on Trial"
▪️ Vermont Law Review: The Viability of Demonic Possession as a Murder Defense
▪️ All That’s Interesting: The Macabre Real-Life Events That Inspired Conjuring 3
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