The Devil Made Me Do It? Unpacking the Trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson

Introduction: A Sinister Claim in a Connecticut Courtroom

In the annals of American legal history, few cases spark the imagination or challenge the boundaries of belief quite like the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson. On a cold February day in 1981, a quiet town in Connecticut was rocked by a brutal murder, but it was the killer’s defense that truly sent shockwaves across the nation and beyond. Arne Johnson, a young man with no prior criminal record, admitted to stabbing his landlord, Alan Bono, to death. Yet, his legal team, backed by renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, put forth an unprecedented plea: not guilty by reason of demonic possession.

This audacious claim transformed a local tragedy into a global spectacle, pitting the rigid rationality of the legal system against the chilling, inexplicable forces of the supernatural. For the first time in an American courtroom, the question wasn't just who committed the crime, but what truly motivated it. Was Arne Johnson a cold-blooded killer, or was he, as his defense contended, an unwitting vessel for an ancient evil? This article delves into the harrowing events, the sensational trial, and the enduring legacy of the case popularly known as "The Devil Made Me Do It" trial.

The Seeds of Darkness: A Family's Ordeal

Before the fateful murder, the story of Arne Johnson became inextricably linked with the deeply unsettling experiences of the Glatzel family. Their ordeal began months earlier, in the summer of 1980, when an 11-year-old boy named David Glatzel, the younger brother of Arne’s fiancée, Debbie Glatzel, began exhibiting increasingly disturbing behaviors.

The Glatzel Family and David's Torment

Initially, David’s family noticed minor, peculiar incidents. He claimed to see a "beast" with "big black eyes and a skinny face" in their new rental home in Brookfield, Connecticut. Soon, these visions escalated. David would reportedly be flung from his bed, covered in scratches and bruises. He would growl, hiss, and speak in guttural voices, sometimes quoting passages from the Bible or Latin, languages he did not know. Witnesses described him levitating, suffering convulsions, and displaying uncanny strength. Family members reported objects moving on their own, strange noises, and sudden drops in temperature.

The Glatzels, devout Christians, initially sought help from their church, but as David's condition worsened, they grew desperate. Medical and psychological evaluations yielded no answers, and the boy's torment continued. It was a terrifying period for the family, who felt increasingly isolated and helpless against what they believed was an unholy presence.

Enter the Warrens: Demonologists on the Scene

In their desperation, the Glatzels turned to the only people they believed could truly understand: Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens were self-proclaimed demonologists and paranormal investigators, famous for their involvement in high-profile cases like the Amityville Horror. They had built a reputation for documenting and intervening in cases of alleged demonic possession, often with the backing of the Catholic Church (though the Church never officially sanctioned the Glatzel exorcisms).

Upon meeting David Glatzel, the Warrens immediately declared him to be possessed by multiple demonic entities. They claimed to have witnessed the classic signs of possession: extraordinary strength, speaking in tongues, levitation, and a profound, malevolent change in personality. Over several weeks, Ed and Lorraine, along with several priests, conducted a series of exorcisms on David. These intense, chaotic rituals involved prayers, holy water, and a terrifying struggle for David’s soul.

Arne Cheyenne Johnson, then 19 years old and deeply in love with David's older sister, Debbie, was present during many of these harrowing sessions. He was a close confidant and supporter of the Glatzel family, often helping to restrain David during his violent episodes. According to the Warrens and Debbie Glatzel, it was during one particularly agonizing exorcism that Arne, frustrated and distraught by David’s suffering, recklessly challenged the demons. He reportedly demanded that the entities leave David and take him instead, believing his adult body could withstand the assault better than the child's. The Warrens later testified that they warned Arne not to provoke the entities, but the challenge had been issued. They claimed to have witnessed a demonic entity transfer from David Glatzel into Arne Johnson.

A Fatal Encounter: The Murder of Alan Bono

The peace of Brookfield, Connecticut, was shattered on February 16, 1981. The day began innocently enough. Arne Johnson, Debbie Glatzel, Debbie's younger sister Carlie, and Alan Bono, their landlord and Debbie's employer, spent the afternoon drinking at a local bar. Bono, 40, was a dog breeder who also managed the kennels where Debbie worked.

Returning to Debbie and Arne's apartment, the group continued to drink. An argument soon erupted between Bono and Carlie Glatzel, reportedly over a juke box. Bono, who was described by some as a charming but sometimes volatile man, grew increasingly agitated and allegedly grabbed Carlie. Debbie Glatzel attempted to intervene, pleading with Bono to leave her sister alone.

It was at this moment, according to the later defense, that Arne Johnson's demeanor drastically shifted. Witnesses described him as suddenly changing, appearing to go into a trance-like state. He began to growl, his eyes reportedly glazed over. He then drew a 5-inch pocketknife and, in a swift, brutal attack, stabbed Alan Bono multiple times in the chest and abdomen. Bono collapsed and died shortly after.

When police arrived, they found a chaotic scene. Arne Johnson was arrested at the scene without resistance. The murder was a shock to the quiet community, but the true sensation was yet to come.

The Devil's Advocate: Unveiling the "Demon Defense"

With Arne Johnson in custody, his fiancée Debbie Glatzel immediately contacted the Warrens. Lorraine Warren, upon hearing of the murder, promptly told police that Johnson was possessed at the time of the killing. This set the stage for one of the most bizarre and groundbreaking legal strategies in American history.

Seeking an Unprecedented Legal Strategy

Defense attorney Martin Minnella, tasked with representing Arne Johnson, understood the conventional legal pathways for a murder defense: self-defense, mental instability, or diminished capacity due to intoxication. However, with the compelling, if extraordinary, testimony of the Glatzel family and the Warrens, Minnella decided to pursue a truly novel argument: "not guilty by reason of demonic possession."

Minnella argued that Johnson, far from being a deliberate killer, was an involuntary instrument of a malevolent entity. He posited that the demonic presence that had tormented David Glatzel had indeed transferred into Arne, controlling his actions during the fatal altercation with Alan Bono. This defense hinged on the premise that Johnson lacked the mens rea (guilty mind) required for a murder conviction, as his will had been usurped by an external, supernatural force.

The announcement of this defense strategy ignited a media firestorm. Journalists from around the world descended upon Brookfield, eager to cover the "Devil Made Me Do It" trial. Lorraine Warren actively participated in the media frenzy, offering vivid accounts of the exorcisms, David's torment, and Arne's alleged possession. She claimed to have warned Arne not to challenge the demons, and later, to have seen the demonic influence in his eyes just before the murder. Skeptics scoffed, but believers were captivated, understanding that this trial would either open a new frontier in legal defense or solidify the rational boundaries of the courtroom.

The Courtroom Crucible: Law vs. The Supernatural

The stage was set for an unprecedented showdown, but the clash between legal precedent and supernatural claims was quickly resolved by the court.

The Judge's Stance: No Demons in Court

The trial, State v. Johnson, began in October 1981 in Danbury, Connecticut. From the outset, Judge Robert Callahan faced a challenge unlike any other. Attorney Minnella presented his arguments for allowing the "demon defense," detailing the Glatzel family's experiences, the Warrens' findings, and the alleged transfer of the demonic entity.

However, Judge Callahan quickly made a pivotal ruling that effectively barred the "demon defense" from the proceedings. He declared that such a defense was legally unviable, citing a lack of legal precedent and the inherent difficulty – if not impossibility – of proving the existence of demonic possession in a court of law. He argued that allowing testimony regarding supernatural forces would be "irrelevant and unprovable," and would effectively turn the courtroom into a forum for religious debate rather than legal fact-finding. The judge famously stated that the court would not admit "expert testimony regarding the existence of demonic spirits."

This decision, while disappointing to the defense and to those who believed in Arne's story, was largely expected by legal observers. The American legal system is founded on principles of verifiable evidence and rational causation, making the introduction of supernatural elements anathema to its core tenets.

The Prosecution's Case: A Clear-Cut Murder

With the demon defense dismissed, the prosecution, led by State's Attorney Walter D. Flanagan, could focus on the conventional facts of the case. They presented a straightforward narrative of a murder driven by anger and alcohol.

• The Argument: Testimony established that an argument escalated between Bono and Carlie Glatzel.
• The Weapon: Arne Johnson admitted to wielding the knife that killed Bono.
• The Wounds: Medical evidence confirmed Bono died from multiple stab wounds.
• Voluntary Intoxication: The prosecution emphasized that Johnson had been drinking heavily, suggesting this, rather than possession, explained his aggressive behavior. They aimed to prove Johnson acted with intent or extreme recklessness, consistent with murder or manslaughter.

The prosecution did not attempt to debunk the Warrens' claims directly; rather, they simply ignored them, treating the case as a tragic but all-too-common instance of violence fueled by alcohol and rage.

The Defense's Adaptation

Forced to abandon their central argument, the defense had to pivot. Minnella shifted his strategy to focus on two more conventional defenses:

• Self-Defense: He argued that Arne Johnson was acting to protect Debbie's younger sister, Carlie, from an aggressive and intoxicated Alan Bono. The defense portrayed Bono as the aggressor, suggesting Johnson used the knife in an attempt to de-escalate or defend.
• Diminished Capacity: While not explicitly linking it to demons, the defense implied that Johnson's mental state at the time was impaired. They tried to present evidence of his unusual behavior and comments (some related to the earlier alleged possession) to suggest he wasn't fully in control of his actions or capable of forming the specific intent required for murder.

This revised strategy sought to mitigate the charge, aiming for a conviction of a lesser offense like manslaughter rather than murder.

Verdict and Aftermath: Justice Rendered, Questions Remain

The jury deliberated for three days, wrestling with the evidence presented within the confines of the judge's rulings. The supernatural narrative, though officially excluded, undoubtedly lingered in the background, a silent specter in the courtroom.

The Jury's Decision

In November 1981, the jury delivered its verdict: Arne Cheyenne Johnson was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter. This verdict represented a compromise. It acknowledged Johnson's culpability in Bono's death but indicated that the jury did not believe he acted with premeditation or malice aforethought, which are necessary elements for a murder conviction. The conviction for manslaughter suggested that the jury might have believed there were mitigating circumstances, such as a heated argument, self-defense (even if excessive), or some form of impaired judgment, though not necessarily demonic possession.

Arne Johnson's Sentence

Arne Johnson was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison. He ultimately served approximately five years, being released in 1986. After his release, Johnson married Debbie Glatzel, and they reportedly tried to live a quiet life, shying away from the media spotlight that had once consumed them. Johnson maintained his innocence regarding conscious culpability, always stating that he had no memory of the stabbing and that he was indeed possessed.

The Warrens' Continued Advocacy and Legacy

The Warrens, despite the judge's rejection of their central claim, never wavered in their conviction that Arne Johnson was possessed. They continued to promote the story through books, lectures, and media appearances. Their involvement solidified the case's place in paranormal lore and cemented their own reputations as authorities on the supernatural.

The "Devil Made Me Do It" trial gained renewed public attention decades later with the release of The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), a major Hollywood film based on the Warrens' account of the events. While it brought the story to a new generation, it also rekindled debate and skepticism.

Indeed, the Glatzel family itself became divided over the narrative. While Debbie Glatzel and some family members continued to support the Warrens' account, David Glatzel's brother, Carl Glatzel, later publicly accused the Warrens of exploiting his family for financial gain, claiming the entire possession story was a hoax perpetrated by the Warrens to make money. He alleged that David suffered from mental illness, not demonic possession. Lorraine Warren dismissed these claims, insisting on the authenticity of their findings. This split within the family highlights the complex and often painful aftermath of such a public and sensationalized event.

Conclusion: A Lingering Shadow

The Trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson stands as a singular moment in legal and cultural history. It was a bold attempt to introduce the supernatural into the rigid confines of the courtroom, an effort that ultimately failed to establish a new legal precedent for "demonic possession" as a defense. Judge Callahan's ruling effectively reaffirmed the secular nature of the justice system, asserting that legal culpability must be determined by verifiable evidence and human intent, not by spiritual battles beyond human comprehension.

Yet, the case endures, a compelling narrative that continues to fascinate and divide. It speaks to the enduring human struggle to understand evil – whether it stems from internal human failings, external societal pressures, or, as some believe, from forces far beyond our understanding. For FactSpark readers, the story of Arne Cheyenne Johnson reminds us that even in an age of science and reason, the line between the explainable and the inexplicable remains tantalizingly blurred, leaving us to ponder the chilling question: What if the devil did make him do it?