Arne Johnson: The Man Behind the “Devil Made Me Do It” Case

gained notoriety as one of the most sensational and controversial in the history of criminal justice. Known as the “Devil Made Me Do It” case, Arne Johnson’s trial in 1981 became a landmark event, intertwining criminal law with paranormal beliefs and forever linking his name with the notion of demonic possession and the supernatural.

In this article, we will explore the life of Arne Johnson, his involvement in the notorious trial, the background of the case, the legal and cultural implications, and how this case continues to be remembered today.

Early Life and Background

Arne Johnson was born on November 24, 1961, in the United States. Little is known about his early childhood or family background, but his life took a significant turn in his early adulthood. In the 1980s, he was living in Brookfield, Connecticut, where he worked as a landscaper. During this period, he began a relationship with a young woman named Debbie Glatzel. It was through his relationship with Debbie that Johnson would become involved in one of the most bizarre and infamous cases of demonic possession in modern history.

Debbie’s younger brother, David Glatzel, would eventually be at the center of the story that would thrust Arne Johnson into the public eye. David’s mysterious affliction, the alleged demonic possession, would soon lead to a series of events that culminated in Arne’s involvement in a brutal murder, resulting in one of the most unusual criminal defenses in American history.

The Glatzel Family and David’s Possession

The story begins with David Glatzel, who was just 11 years old when he began experiencing strange and terrifying phenomena in the summer of 1980. According to the Glatzel family, David began to exhibit unexplainable behavior, such as speaking in strange voices, displaying superhuman strength, and experiencing violent outbursts. The boy’s behavior was so disturbing that his family became convinced that something supernatural was at play.

Debbie, Arne Johnson’s girlfriend, and her family sought help from paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, who were well-known demonologists and ghost hunters. The Warrens had built a reputation for investigating cases of alleged paranormal activity, and they were called in to assess the situation with David.

The Warrens claimed that David was the victim of demonic possession, a phenomenon that they had encountered several times before. According to Ed and Lorraine, the possession had begun when David encountered an old well on a property near his family’s home. It was alleged that David made contact with a spirit, which ultimately led to him becoming possessed.

The Warrens performed a series of exorcisms on David, though they were not successful in removing the demon. During this time, Arne Johnson was reportedly present, witnessing the frightening events surrounding David’s supposed possession. Over time, Arne began to develop a deep interest in the situation and became more involved in trying to help the Glatzel family.

The Murder of Alan Bono

On February 16, 1981, the shocking and tragic event that would make Arne Johnson famous occurred. Johnson, along with Debbie and her 9-year-old daughter, were at a dog kennel where Arne worked. Also present at the kennel was 40-year-old Alan Bono, the landlord and the manager of the kennel. According to reports, Bono and Johnson had been drinking that day, and a confrontation erupted.

Witnesses claimed that Arne Johnson suddenly became violent, attacking Bono with a knife. Bono was stabbed multiple times, and he later died from his injuries. Arne Johnson was arrested at the scene of the crime, and the police initially believed the killing to be a result of a quarrel that escalated. However, as the case began to unfold, a bizarre and unsettling defense emerged—Arne Johnson’s lawyers claimed that he was not responsible for the murder because he had been possessed by a demon at the time.

This defense was unprecedented in American legal history. Johnson’s attorneys argued that the possession had taken hold of him during the earlier events involving David Glatzel, and that he was acting under the influence of the demonic forces. They cited the exorcisms performed on David as evidence that something supernatural was happening and that Arne was an unwilling victim of the possession.

The Legal Defense: “The Devil Made Me Do It”

In an era when most criminal cases were based solely on facts, evidence, and legal arguments, the notion of demonic possession as a valid defense was a novel and controversial idea. Johnson’s defense attorneys, Martin Minnella and Richard S. Koller, presented the argument that Arne Johnson had committed the murder while under the control of an evil entity. They stated that Johnson had been influenced by the same demon that had allegedly possessed David Glatzel.

This defense, however, was highly controversial. The court was not convinced by the supernatural explanation, and the case became a media sensation. Journalists and the public were both fascinated and skeptical about the defense. Many believed that it was a desperate attempt to avoid responsibility for the crime, while others felt that it might be possible that the possession defense had some merit, given the strange events surrounding David Glatzel’s behavior.

Despite the sensational nature of the defense, the judge ruled that it would not be allowed in court. The argument of demonic possession was rejected as a valid legal defense, and the trial proceeded under the assumption that Arne Johnson was responsible for the death of Alan Bono. In the end, Arne Johnson pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, and he was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison. Johnson served a little more than 5 years before being released on parole in 1986.

The Cultural Impact of the Case

The case of Arne Johnson had a significant cultural impact and helped to popularize the concept of demonic possession in mainstream media. The trial itself received extensive media coverage, and the unusual defense became the subject of widespread discussion.

The “Devil Made Me Do It” case would later become the inspiration for numerous books, documentaries, and films. In 2021, the story was adapted into the movie The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, which became part of the popular Conjuring Universe franchise. The film depicted the events surrounding Arne Johnson’s trial, though it took significant creative liberties for the sake of drama and storytelling.

While the movie brought renewed attention to Arne Johnson’s case, it also sparked a conversation about the role of the supernatural in modern society. The case raised questions about the intersection of faith, belief in the paranormal, and the legal system, particularly when it comes to defending criminal actions based on non-traditional explanations like demonic possession.

The Legacy of Arne Johnson’s Case

Though Arne Johnson’s trial was decades ago, the case continues to be a subject of debate among legal scholars, paranormal enthusiasts, and the general public. Some argue that the possession defense opened the door for future cases to include supernatural explanations, while others maintain that it was a one-time anomaly.

For Arne Johnson, the case has followed him for the rest of his life. Although he served his time for the manslaughter conviction, Johnson’s life after prison has been relatively quiet. He has largely stayed out of the public eye, living a private life and avoiding further controversy.

The Glatzel family, particularly David, continues to be linked to the case. David Glatzel has publicly stated that he does not remember much about his possession and has not given many interviews. The Warrens, too, remain part of the discussion, as their involvement in the case has both solidified their place in paranormal lore and fueled ongoing debate about the validity of their investigations.

Conclusion

The story of Arne Johnson is one that straddles the boundary between the supernatural and the legal. His case is a remarkable chapter in the annals of criminal history, where a man’s life was forever altered by a defense based on the unprovable, and the supernatural became intertwined with the very real consequences of murder.