The Demon Murder Trial: When a Killer Blamed Possession

The Demon Murder Trial is one of the most bizarre and chilling cases in American legal history. In 1981, a young man named Arne Cheyenne Johnson stood trial for the murder of his landlord, Alan Bono, in Brookfield, Connecticut. What made this case so infamous was Johnson’s defense—he claimed he was possessed by a demon at the time of the killing. This case became the first known instance in the United States where demonic possession was used as a legal defense, drawing widespread media attention. It also gained notoriety through Ed and Lorraine Warren, the famous paranormal investigators who were involved in the case. Their involvement helped cement the story in the world of the supernatural, later inspiring the 2021 film The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.

The Haunting That Started It All

The origins of the case go back to the alleged possession of 11-year-old David Glatzel, the younger brother of Johnson’s fiancée, Debbie Glatzel. According to the Glatzel family, David began exhibiting strange behavior after moving into a new home. He reportedly saw terrifying visions of a demonic figure, spoke in deep, unnatural voices, and displayed violent outbursts. The family, terrified, sought help from Ed and Lorraine Warren, who concluded that David was possessed by a demonic entity.

The Warrens, along with a local priest, attempted multiple exorcisms on David. During one of these sessions, Arne Johnson, who was dating Debbie Glatzel, allegedly challenged the demon, shouting: "Take me on instead!"

According to Johnson and the Warrens, the demon left David and entered Johnson, setting the stage for the tragedy that followed.

The Murder of Alan Bono

Months after the exorcism, on February 16, 1981, Arne Johnson and Debbie Glatzel were living together in Brookfield, Connecticut. Johnson was working as a tree surgeon, while Debbie worked for Alan Bono, a local kennel owner.

On the day of the murder, Johnson, Debbie, Bono, and a few others had been drinking heavily. At some point, an argument broke out between Johnson and Bono. Suddenly, Johnson pulled out a knife and stabbed Bono multiple times, ultimately killing him. Witnesses claimed Johnson appeared to be in a trance-like state before fleeing the scene. He was later arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter.

The "Demonic Possession" Defense

When the case went to trial, Johnson’s lawyer, Martin Minnella, made an unprecedented move—he attempted to argue that Johnson was possessed by a demon at the time of the killing and was therefore not responsible for his actions.

Minnella claimed that the devil had taken control of Johnson’s body, using his past involvement in David Glatzel’s exorcism as evidence. He even reached out to the Vatican for support and planned to bring in exorcism specialists to testify.

However, the judge rejected the defense, ruling that demonic possession had no place in a court of law. As a result, Johnson’s legal team was forced to switch to a self-defense argument instead.

The Verdict and Aftermath

Despite the supernatural claims, Arne Johnson was ultimately convicted of manslaughter in November 1981 and sentenced to 10–20 years in prison. However, he served only about five years before being released on good behavior.

The Legacy of the Case

The Demon Murder Trial became a sensational media event, fueling debates about paranormal phenomena in the justice system. It also cemented Ed and Lorraine Warren’s status as major figures in the world of paranormal investigation.

Years later, the case inspired the film The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), which dramatized the events surrounding the trial. However, skeptics argue that the possession story was a fabrication, possibly a way for the Warrens to gain publicity or for Johnson to avoid full responsibility for the crime.

Was It Truly Demonic Possession?

To this day, the case remains one of the most debated paranormal mysteries in legal history. Some believe Johnson was truly a victim of dark forces, while others see the possession claim as a desperate legal strategy. Was Arne Johnson controlled by a demon, or was this simply a tragic case of alcohol-fueled violence? The truth may never be known—but the legend of the Demon Murder Trial lives on.