The Devil Made Me Do It – True Story and Trial Facts
On February 16, 1981, 19-year-old Arne Cheyenne Johnson stabbed his landlord Alan Bono to death in Brookfield, Connecticut, during a heated argument. When police arrested him, Johnson claimed demonic possession—the first time such a defense was attempted in a United States murder trial. The case, rooted in a series of disturbing events involving his fiancée’s younger brother, would become known as the “Devil Made Me Do It” case and inspire both a major Hollywood film and a Netflix documentary decades later.
The murder occurred less than a year after Johnson allegedly challenged a demon to leave an 11-year-old boy and enter his own body during a forbidden exorcism ritual. The subsequent trial tested the boundaries of American jurisprudence, forcing the Connecticut court system to address whether supernatural forces could constitute a legal defense against homicide.
Despite the sensational claims, Judge Robert Callahan ruled that evidence of possession was legally incompetent. The jury convicted Johnson of first-degree manslaughter, sentencing him to 10 to 20 years in prison, of which he served five before parole.
What Is the Devil Made Me Do It Case?
- First known U.S. murder trial to formally invoke demonic possession as a defense strategy
- Judge explicitly rejected supernatural evidence as legally inadmissible and irrelevant
- Defense team pivoted to self-defense after possession claims were barred
- Johnson convicted of first-degree manslaughter rather than murder
- Served five years of a 10-to-20-year maximum-security prison sentence
- Preceded by the highly publicized exorcism of David Glatzel in 1980
- Direct inspiration for the 2021 film The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Brookfield, Connecticut |
| Date of Crime | |
| Trial Date | |
| Presiding Judge | Robert Callahan |
| Defendant Age | 19 years old |
| Victim | Alan Bono, 40 (landlord) |
| Murder Weapon | 5-inch pocket knife |
| Initial Charge | First-degree murder |
| Final Verdict | Guilty of first-degree manslaughter |
| Sentence | 10-20 years imprisonment |
| Time Served | 5 years (paroled 1986) |
| Preceding Event | Exorcism of David Glatzel (1980) |
Is the Devil Made Me Do It Story True?
The supernatural elements of the case originated months before the murder, when 11-year-old David Glatzel began exhibiting behaviors that his family interpreted as demonic possession. According to witness accounts documented by Fox News, the boy allegedly levitated, growled like an animal, spoke in voices not his own, and listed the names of 42 demons in Latin.
The Exorcism of David Glatzel
The Glatzel family, including David’s sister Debbie and her fiancé Arne Johnson, sought assistance from demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens arranged multiple exorcisms involving five Catholic priests. During one session, Johnson reportedly challenged the entity, stating, “Take me instead.” Following this incident, he displayed strange behaviors including punching through a chest of drawers and surviving a 100-foot fall without injury.
Evaluating the Evidence
No medical or scientific evidence confirmed supernatural possession. Judge Callahan ruled that such evidence was “simply not relevant” and “incompetent” under Connecticut law. The court barred priests from testifying to prevent setting a precedent that could hinder law enforcement. Defense attorney Martin Minnella later admitted he believed Johnson’s story but acknowledged that no other lawyer would take the case.
United States law contains no provisions recognizing demonic possession as a valid defense. Claims typically collapse into insanity pleas, which rarely succeed due to judicial concerns about evading criminal responsibility and the inability to verify supernatural causation.
Who Is Arne Cheyenne Johnson?
Arne Cheyenne Johnson was 19 years old and engaged to Debbie Glatzel when the fatal confrontation occurred. He worked in Brookfield and knew the victim Alan Bono as both his landlord and friend. According to Time magazine, Johnson’s sisters witnessed the attack and signed statements confirming he stabbed Bono during the altercation.
The Stabbing and Immediate Aftermath
On February 16, 1981, Johnson and Bono argued inside Bono’s residence. The dispute reportedly concerned unpaid rent or unwanted advances toward Debbie Glatzel. Johnson retrieved a 5-inch pocket knife and stabbed Bono four times in the chest and stomach. Upon arrest, Johnson told police, “I don’t remember killing anybody. He’s my friend.” He maintained he had “blacked out” during the incident.
Post-Conviction Status
Johnson served five years of his sentence at Somers State Prison before receiving parole in 1986. Unlike many high-profile murder defendants, Johnson has maintained a private life since release. Current whereabouts and status remain unreported in public records, consistent with privacy protections for non-public figures.
Did the Demonic Possession Defense Succeed?
The defense failed at the evidentiary stage. Judge Callahan’s ruling prevented any testimony regarding demonic possession from reaching the jury. Without access to their primary defense strategy, Minnella shifted tactics to argue self-defense, seeking a manslaughter conviction rather than first-degree murder.
Courtroom Rulings and Precedent
The Danbury Superior Court’s decision established that supernatural claims cannot substitute for legal standards of intent or insanity. The judge emphasized that allowing such defenses would create unmanageable legal standards and impede law enforcement’s ability to prosecute violent crimes.
Final Verdict and Sentencing
The jury convicted Johnson of first-degree manslaughter in December 1981. The court imposed a sentence of 10 to 20 years in a maximum-security facility. Johnson’s early release after five years suggests satisfactory behavior during incarceration, though specific parole hearing details remain sealed.
In England (1974), Michael Taylor was found not guilty by reason of insanity after murdering his wife following an exorcism that allegedly expelled 40 demons. Unlike Johnson’s case, the English court accepted the psychological trauma from the exorcism itself as grounds for insanity, rather than recognizing possession as a defense.
What Is the Connection to The Conjuring 3?
The case inspired the 2021 film The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, the third installment in the main Conjuring series. The movie portrays Ed and Lorraine Warren investigating the supernatural elements while Johnson faces trial. A subsequent Netflix documentary, The Devil on Trial, examined the case using court records and interviews.
Cinematic Adaptation vs. Legal Records
Filmmakers took significant creative liberties with the timeline and evidence. While the actual trial focused on manslaughter and excluded possession testimony entirely, the film depicts supernatural events influencing the courtroom proceedings. The real trial contained no dramatic revelation of demonic evidence; rather, it proceeded as a conventional homicide prosecution after the defense motion failed.
Timeline of the Brookfield Demonic Possession Case
- 1980: David Glatzel (11) exhibits disturbing behavior after moving to Brookfield; family contacts the Warrens.
- 1980: Series of exorcisms conducted involving five Catholic priests; Johnson allegedly invites possession.
- : Johnson stabs Alan Bono four times during an argument; victim dies of wounds.
- February 1981: Johnson arrested miles from the scene; claims no memory of the attack.
- : Trial begins in Danbury Superior Court; Judge Callahan rules possession evidence inadmissible.
- : Jury returns guilty verdict for first-degree manslaughter.
- 1986: Johnson paroled after serving five years of his sentence.
- 2021: The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It released, renewing public interest in the case.
Established Facts vs. Uncertain Claims
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Arne Johnson stabbed Alan Bono on Feb 16, 1981 | Whether David Glatzel was actually possessed |
| The crime occurred in Brookfield, Connecticut | Whether Johnson was possessed at the time of the stabbing |
| Judge rejected possession defense as legally incompetent | The exact trigger for the argument (rent vs. advances) |
| Johnson convicted of first-degree manslaughter | Current whereabouts and status of Arne Johnson |
| Johnson served five years and was paroled in 1986 | Specific details of parole hearings or prison conduct |
| Defense lawyer Martin Minnella believed the possession story | Objective medical evidence supporting possession claims |
Legal Precedent and Cultural Impact
The Johnson case remains a singular event in American jurisprudence. Unlike the Michael Taylor case in England or David Berkowitz’s initial “Son of Sam” claims, U.S. courts have consistently refused to recognize demonic possession as a mitigating factor in criminal trials. The case influenced how subsequent defendants attempt to introduce religious or supernatural explanations for violent behavior.
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Primary Sources and Statements
“I don’t remember killing anybody. He’s my friend.”
— Arne Cheyenne Johnson, upon arrest (1981)
“[Demonic possession evidence is] simply not relevant and incompetent.”
— Judge Robert Callahan, ruling from the bench
“I believed the possession story, but no other lawyer would take the case.”
— Martin Minnella, defense attorney (post-trial)
Summary of the Devil Made Me Do It Case
The 1981 murder trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson represents the only attempt to use demonic possession as a formal defense in a U.S. murder case. The Connecticut court’s refusal to admit supernatural evidence established clear boundaries for criminal defenses, resulting in a manslaughter conviction and five-year prison term. While the case inspired popular films and documentaries, the legal record confirms a straightforward homicide prosecution where claims of the paranormal were excluded from jury consideration. For those researching measurement conversion methodologies found in forensic reports, see MPG to L/100km – Accurate Conversion Formula Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the exorcism of David Glatzel?
In 1980, 11-year-old David Glatzel exhibited bizarre behaviors including levitation, growling, and speaking Latin names of demons. His family contacted Ed and Lorraine Warren, who arranged exorcisms with five Catholic priests.
Did the courts recognize demonic possession?
No. Judge Robert Callahan ruled possession evidence “incompetent” and “not relevant,” barring priests from testifying to prevent setting legal precedent.
Was Arne Johnson found guilty of murder?
Johnson was convicted of first-degree manslaughter, not murder. He received a 10-20 year sentence and served five years before parole.
What weapon was used in the stabbing?
Johnson used a 5-inch pocket knife to stab Alan Bono four times in the chest and stomach during their argument.
Who witnessed the attack on Alan Bono?
Johnson’s sisters witnessed the stabbing and signed statements confirming he attacked Bono.
How accurate is The Conjuring 3 portrayal?
The film takes significant creative liberties, dramatizing supernatural courtroom events that did not occur in the actual trial.
Where is Arne Johnson now?
Johnson was paroled in 1986. His current whereabouts are not publicly documented.
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