The Devil Made Me Do It Case I True Story of The Conjuring

June 20, 2021

The Devil Made Me Do It Case I True Story of The Conjuring

Arne Johnson was convicted for murdering his landlord. However, the defense sought innocence due to Demonic Possession. This was one of the first-ever known cases of demonic possession in the United States. The case was recently adapted into The Conjuring franchise.

“The Conjuring: Devil Made me do it.”

The Glatzel Family moved into a new house. However, David Glatzel, their 11-year-old son said he encountered an old man in the house. The man terrified him and pushed him. David also informed the old man claimed, he will harm the family if they move in. The parents shrugged it off thinking it was David’s imagination. But David continued seeing the old man who later turned into a beast. The demon spoke in Latin and threatened to take David’s life. His family also heard weird noises from the attic but didn’t act on it.

David started experiencing nightmares, he woke up with bruises on his body. His mother described him getting attacked by an invisible pair of hands causing red marks around his neck. He started growling, hissing, speaking in unidentified languages. The situation was so critical that each day a family member would stay awake near David to keep a check on him. They contacted the local priest who blessed the house but to no avail.

Hence, they decided to call upon noted demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. Lorraine upon meeting the boy, noticed black mists surrounding him, a signal that he’s possessed. David went through 3 exorcisms. Lorraine noted that during one of the exorcisms, he started levitating, ceased to breathe, and hissed. He even predicted the future of Johnson’s manslaughter. After such harsh exorcisms, it was alleged that Arne Johnson coerced the demon to possess his body leaving David.

Arne in a few days was supposedly haunted by a demon. He recounts the demon taking control of his car causing it to crash into a tree. He even visited a well that housed the demon, he allegedly saw the apparition of the demon. He concluded that he is possessed.

Debbie, Arne’s fiance, rented an apartment alongside Arne. After moving in, she noticed the odd behavior of Arne including hissing and growling, similar to what David experienced. She feared he was possessed. Debbie worked at Alan Bono’s as a dog groomer.

On February 16, 1981, Arne Johnson took a sick leave from his Wright Tea Service and joined Debbie at Bono’s. The group went for lunch and drank heavily. Bono after returning was under the influence of alcohol and was agitated. He was not letting Mary, Debbie’s sister go. Johnson stepped in to help Mary. The argument escalated, Mary ran to her car, while Debbie stood between the two arguing men. Arne Johnson started growling and removed a 5-inch pocket knife and stabbed Bono multiple times. Bono suffered four to five tremendous wounds and passed away in the hospital.

Arne Johnson was held and the case got media attention from all over the world. Lorraine informed the police that Johnson was possessed by a demon during the killing. The case was referred to as the “Demon Murder Trial.” Due to insufficient evidence, Arne Johnson was charged with first-degree manslaughter on November 24, 1981. He was sentenced to 10-20 years in prison but served five due to good behavior. He married Debbie in jail and completed his graduation in prison along with several courses.

Watch our YouTube Video on the issue.