The Devil Made Me Do It: First Demonic Possession Murder Defense in US History

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-27

[00:00:00]In 1981, a man stabbed his landlord to death in Connecticut. His defense? The devil made me do it. Arne Johnson became the first person in US history to claim demonic possession as a murder defense.

[00:00:13]His case was so bizarre, it inspired The Conjuring movies. The famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren testified in court as expert witnesses.

[00:00:24]They swore under oath that Johnson was actually possessed by a demon. The judge had to decide something no American court had ever faced before. Can evil spirits be held responsible for murder?

[00:00:35]Or was this just the perfect cover for a cold-blooded killer? The courtroom was packed. The nation watched. And legal history was made forever.