Delivering a Verdict in the Case of the Devil Made Me Do It Shock Docs

The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It hit theaters and HBO Max on Friday, June 4. A new “Shock Docs” documentary about the case that inspired the movie starts streaming on discovery+ June 11. Unlike the movie, it delves into the true events that lead up to Arne Cheyenne Johnson murdering Alan Bono in 1981 and the history-making court case that followed.

Why did it make history —as well as national news? Ed and Lorraine Warren played a huge part. Using Johnson’s lawyers, they hoped to put the Devil on trial. They contended Johnson was possessed at the time of the murder and the Devil made him do it.

It turned out the judge didn’t allow them to use that defense, though. Nor did Arne Johnson ever enter such a plea. (Just one of 33 facts in the “Devil made me do it” case that’s pretty interesting.)

The Shock Docs delves into the whole story, from David Glatzel’s possession to the murder. It presents never-before-seen interviews with the family, Ed and Lorraine Warren, Johnson’s defense lawyer, and local police.

I wasn’t a fan of the newest Conjuring movie. In fact, I didn’t even bother to finish watching it. (Too over-the-top for me.) But what about the latest Shock Docs installment? What’s the verdict on it? Is it any better?

Well, I finished it at least. Let’s take a look at what it gets right and what’s a little hard to swallow.

Surprising Interviews

One thing that immediately impressed me was the people who agreed to do interviews for the documentary, including Arne Johnson, Debbie Glatzel, Johnson’s lawyer Martin Minnella, and officers with the Brookfield Police Department who had been involved with the case.

Even though she died in 2019, they also show parts of a 2005 interview with Lorraine Warren about the case of the Devil possessing both David Glatzel and later Arne Johnson.

Maybe because I’d read so many of his articles while doing research for some of my posts, my favorite interviewee was Hartford Courant reporter John Harris. I loved hearing how and why he ended up being assigned to cover the story about the allegations of demonic possession, and his perspective on the case.

Compelling Evidence

I also liked that they compiled a lot of exhibits, if you will, relating to the case. Everything from newspaper articles and TV news clips to crime scene photos. It’s the Virgo in me. All about the details. Never quite satisfied until I see them. Always more satisfied when I do.

The Warrens

Here’s where it gets tricky. Ed and Lorraine Warren…you either love them or you don’t. Although I guess ambivalent is a choice too, right? That’s pretty much how I’ve always felt about them. I’ve never seen anything convincing enough to make me believe they truly knew what was what. Then again, I’ve never seen definitive enough proof to convince me they were full of B.S. and their gig was all a con either.

I’ve known (well, I still do know) people who admire them, believe they were the genuine article, and feel they did great things. I’ve also known others who feel very strongly that the Warrens are publicity-seeking frauds.

Did this documentary, which is very pro-Warrens, sway me one way or the other?

I can’t say that it did. Not decidedly at any rate.

However, coupled with my own research, as well as my legal background…well, let’s just say I feel when it comes to the legal proceedings in the case of the Devil made him do it, the Warrens mixed in where they had no business.

Ed and Lorraine Warren both had good intentions, though. They’d spent a lot of time with the Glatzels and Arne Johnson. I’m sure it was gut-wrenching that Johnson ended up committing murder.

Except, they were convinced that it wasn’t him. They felt it was the Devil and that’s who should really be put on trial. Plus, if they could prove the Devil existed, they’d also prove God was real.

The problem is, that wasn’t the issue at hand nor is it how the legal system works. Also, I don’t think they appreciated the precedent that would set. It would’ve exonerated Johnson, but it also would’ve allowed anyone else who committed murder to simply say, “It wasn’t me. The Devil made me do it.”

Why the Judge Was Right

I feel very strongly the judge in the case was right not to allow the defense. Here’s why.

I’m willing to bet if the outcome had been different, you’d have seen a whole lot more premeditated murders that used it. Not only that but there would’ve also just as surely been more priests called upon for exorcisms.

Clergy didn’t testify about their involvement with the Glatzels when they thought David was possessed. But if Ed Warren had gotten his wish, they would’ve.

That surely would’ve factored into all the cause a person would need to use the “Devil made me do it” defense going forward. All potential murderers would’ve needed to do after that was contact a priest prior to committing their crime, allege they were possessed, then later when they “lost their mind” blame it on the Devil.

So, yeah. I’m among those who praise Judge Callahan for shutting this defense strategy down.

However, I struggled to understand why Ed Warren was so invested in it. I ended up getting my answer when I spoke with Jeff Belanger about his part in The Devil Made Me Do It Shock Docs. He’s one of the experts who is interviewed.

But because he also shed some light on other aspects of this case too, that’ll be a post for another time.

Rating

While the production of this doc is well done, it is biased in favor of the Warrens and the defendant and only presents one side of the story. (No prosecutors were interviewed, nor were any of Alan Bono’s relatives.)

It also hypes the supernatural aspect without considering the alternative, ie. the Devil didn’t make him do it.

Yet, it doesn’t completely ignore that some did question the veracity of the demon possession claim.

At the end of the day, it was infotaining, which is what it set out to be. For that reason, I give it three and a half out of five skulls.

For More Info

Visit discoveryplus.com.

And follow #DevilMadeMeDoItDoc for exclusive content, the latest updates and additional insights into the infamous case.

Check-In

Which of the following do you like best about documentaries? Feel free to choose all that apply.

1. Interviews with those involved in the story.
2. Newspaper clippings or clips from TV news coverage.
3. Seeing crime scene photos.
4. Something else.