"The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It," the third installment in the Conjuring series, dives into one of the most sensational and controversial cases ever handled by famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. This case, involving a young man named Arne Cheyenne Johnson, is known for being the first time in U.S. history where demonic possession was used as a defense in a court of law. Here’s an in-depth look at the true story behind "The Conjuring 3."

The Glatzel Family and David’s Possession

The story begins in the summer of 1980 when the Glatzel family moved into a new home in Brookfield, Connecticut. Eleven-year-old David Glatzel started experiencing frightening occurrences, claiming to see a "man with big black eyes, a thin face with animal features and jagged teeth, pointed ears, horns, and hooves." Initially, the family dismissed David's accounts as a child’s overactive imagination.

However, David’s experiences soon escalated. He began waking up with mysterious scratches and bruises, and his behavior became increasingly erratic and violent. The family, desperate and terrified, turned to the church for help. After several unsuccessful blessings, the Glatzels contacted Ed and Lorraine Warren.

The Warrens’ Involvement

Ed and Lorraine Warren, well-known for their investigations into the paranormal, took on the case. Lorraine, a clairvoyant, claimed to witness a black mist materialize next to David, which she believed signaled a malevolent presence. The Warrens, along with a Catholic priest, conducted multiple exorcisms on David, believing him to be possessed by multiple demons.

During these sessions, David is said to have exhibited behaviors that were beyond natural explanation: he would speak in multiple demonic voices, recite passages from the Bible, and hiss and growl at the Warrens and his family. Despite their efforts, the exorcisms didn’t entirely free David from his torment.

Arne Cheyenne Johnson’s Involvement

Arne Cheyenne Johnson, the boyfriend of David’s older sister Debbie, was deeply involved in the family's struggles. Johnson, who had witnessed many of David's episodes, challenged one of the demons to leave David and enter him instead. According to the Warrens and those present, Johnson’s challenge was a grave mistake.

Following the challenge, Johnson began to display increasingly odd behavior. He claimed to experience periods of time where he felt he was not in control of his actions and would have no memory of what he had done.

The Murder of Alan Bono

On February 16, 1981, Arne Cheyenne Johnson fatally stabbed his landlord, Alan Bono, during an altercation. According to eyewitnesses, Johnson was behaving strangely and growling like an animal during the incident. He was apprehended by police and charged with Bono’s murder.

The Trial: The Devil Made Me Do It

Johnson’s defense attorney, Martin Minnella, decided to present an unprecedented argument: Johnson was not guilty by reason of demonic possession. This defense was based on the Warrens’ testimony and the accounts of the Glatzel family. The case, dubbed the "Devil Made Me Do It" case, garnered national attention and sparked debates about the legitimacy of demon possession as a legal defense.

Judge Robert Callahan ultimately rejected the defense, ruling that such a claim could not be proven and was therefore inadmissible. Johnson’s defense team then had to rely on a traditional self-defense argument. Despite the sensational nature of the case, Johnson was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and served five years of a 10 to 20-year sentence.

Aftermath

The events surrounding David Glatzel and Arne Johnson remained controversial. David’s brother, Carl Glatzel Jr., later disputed the Warrens' account, claiming that the family was manipulated and that the events were exaggerated for profit. He even filed a lawsuit against the Warrens and the authors of the book "The Devil in Connecticut," which detailed the case.

Despite the controversies, the case remains a significant part of paranormal lore and has contributed to the ongoing fascination with the Warrens’ work. "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" dramatizes these events, capturing the fear and mystery that surrounded the case while taking some creative liberties for cinematic effect.

Conclusion

The true story behind "The Conjuring 3" is a complex mix of documented events, personal testimonies, and paranormal claims. It remains one of the most intriguing cases in the Warrens' extensive career, highlighting the often blurry line between belief and skepticism in the world of the supernatural.