The Arne Cheyenne Johnson Case

Lore & Background

Following the botched exorcism, Arne Johnson, who had been present during the events and reportedly witnessed demonic activity firsthand, became the new focal point. Days later, in a fit of rage attributed to demonic influence, Arne stabbed his friend Alan Bono to death. The subsequent legal proceedings brought the Warrens into the courtroom as potential expert witnesses, but the judge largely excluded their testimony about possession. Ed Warren's testimony was limited, and Lorraine Warren was not allowed to testify. Notably, the entity Bathsheba is not part of this case; she is historically tied to the Perron family haunting. The Snedeker family case, often mistakenly thought to have occurred earlier, actually began in 1986, five years after the Johnson case.

In Their Own Story

The rain hammered against the window of the small Connecticut apartment, a cold rhythm matching the dread in the room. Arne sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes wide and unblinking, staring at nothing yet seeing everything. The air grew heavy, smelling faintly of sulfur and old earth, as shadows seemed to detach themselves from the corners of the room. He felt a presence behind him, a cold hand gripping his shoulder, whispering words that weren't human. 'He must go,' the voice hissed, vibrating through his bones. Arne tried to fight it, but his body moved on its own, the knife in his hand feeling like an extension of something ancient and hungry.

Reader's Guide

The case originated when David Snedeker became possessed by a malevolent spirit linked to Bathsheba. Ed and Lorraine Warren arrived to perform an exorcism, during which Arne Johnson witnessed terrifying supernatural manifestations. Following the failed ritual, the demonic influence reportedly shifted toward Arne. In a sudden, violent outburst on the road, he stabbed his friend Alan Bono multiple times, leading to Bono's death and Arne's arrest for murder. During the trial, Arne's defense team introduced the unprecedented argument of demonic possession. The Warrens testified regarding their investigations into the Snedeker home and the nature of the entity they believed controlled Arne. Despite the compelling testimony from the Warrens about the spiritual warfare involved, the court rejected the insanity plea based on possession. Arne was convicted of second-degree manslaughter but received a suspended sentence, leaving the question of supernatural influence legally unanswered.

Did You Know?

• This case is often cited as a notable murder trial involving a demonic possession defense, though it was not the first in United States history; earlier cases exist.
• The entity Bathsheba is not part of this narrative; she is associated with the Perron family haunting, not the Arne Cheyenne Johnson case.
• Ed and Lorraine Warren's involvement brought their expertise on demonology into a criminal courtroom, but Ed Warren's testimony was limited and Lorraine Warren was not allowed to testify; the judge largely excluded their
• Arne Johnson was convicted of manslaughter rather than murder, though he maintained his innocence regarding the intent to kill.

Historical Legal Significance

The trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson stands as a unique and unprecedented moment in American jurisprudence, marking the first instance where a defense team attempted to secure an acquittal by claiming demonic possession. His legal strategy hinged entirely on the assertion that he lacked personal responsibility for the crime because a malevolent entity had taken control of his actions. Despite the dramatic nature of this argument, the presiding judge ruled that such a supernatural defense could not be substantiated within the bounds of secular law and was therefore inadmissible. Consequently, the court rejected the possession claim as legally infeasible. Johnson was ultimately convicted and sentenced to ten to twenty years in prison, though he served only five years before his release.

The Glatzel Exorcism Origins

The events leading to the trial began with the alleged supernatural affliction of David Glatzel, a twelve-year-old boy whose family reported increasingly terrifying occurrences. Witnesses described the child exhibiting unexplained physical injuries, speaking in unknown voices, and displaying knowledge he should not possess. Distraught by these phenomena, the Glatzel family sought assistance from renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. After witnessing what they interpreted as a black mist and invisible attacks on David, the Warrens diagnosed him with multiple demonic possessions. This diagnosis led to a series of formal petitions for exorcism involving several Catholic priests. The intense rituals continued over several days until witnesses claimed a demon fled David's body. According to accounts documented by Gerald Brittle in *The Devil in Connecticut*, this entity did not vanish but instead transferred its residence into Arne Johnson, who was present during the proceedings.

Escalation and Fatal Confrontation

Following the exorcism rituals, Johnson reportedly began exhibiting behavior strikingly similar to David Glatzel's earlier symptoms. He would enter trance-like states, growl, and hallucinate without retaining memory of these episodes. After a lunch outing involving heavy drinking by the landlord, Alan Bono, tensions escalated when the group returned to the premises. As Bono became increasingly agitated and intoxicated, Johnson allegedly attacked him in a manner consistent with his reported possessed state. The confrontation resulted in Bono's death from multiple stab wounds. This violent act triggered the legal proceedings that would eventually define the case as the 'Devil Made Me Do It' trial.

Cultural Legacy and Media Depictions

The notoriety of the Johnson case has transcended its legal origins to become a significant subject in popular culture, inspiring numerous adaptations across literature and screen. The core narrative was first detailed in Gerald Brittle's book *The Devil in Connecticut*, which chronicled the alleged possession and subsequent trial. In the realm of television, the story served as the basis for the Discovery Channel episode 'Where Demons Dwell' on *A Haunting*, featuring firsthand accounts from Johnson and Debbie Glatzel. The saga was further dramatized in a 2006 live-action prequel titled *Where Demons Dwell* and later adapted into the major motion picture *The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It* in 2021. Additionally, the case received renewed scrutiny through the 2023 documentary *The Devil on Trial*, ensuring that this unique intersection of crime, religion, and law remains a focal point for public fascination.