Going West: True Crime

Episode 561 – The Devil Made Me Do It

Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman
Date: December 9, 2025

Main Theme

This episode dives deep into the chilling and controversial 1981 murder case from Brookfield, Connecticut, famously known as "The Devil Made Me Do It." The story involves the stabbing death of Alan Bono by Arne Cheyenne Johnson and explores claims of demonic possession as a legal defense—the first time such a claim was attempted in an American courtroom. Daphne and Heath dissect the facts, the supernatural claims, the involvement of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, and the profound impact this case had on the individuals involved and pop culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Overview & Setting the Stage

[04:08–08:38]

• In February 1981, Brookfield, CT, a town with no murder history, saw its first homicide: Alan Bono was killed by Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who claimed demonic possession made him do it.
• Bono (40) was the manager of a dog kennel and landlord to Debbie Glatzel (his employee) and her boyfriend Arne.
• A day of heavy drinking and an argument ended with Arne fatally stabbing Bono.
• Initial police theory: a drunken fight, possibly over Debbie; but Arne and the Glatzels claimed something much more sinister.

2. The Glatzel Family & "Possession" Build-Up

[08:38–17:11]

• Arne, 19, and Debbie, 26, had been together for years, with Debbie having a son from a previous relationship.
• Summer 1980: Debbie and Arne moved into a reportedly "dark" rental home in Newtown, CT.
• Debbie’s 11-year-old brother David experienced a frightening vision while cleaning the new house, claiming to see “an old man with cloven hooves” and “devil-like creatures.”
• David’s behavior turned alarming: night terrors, growling obscenities, and violent outbursts—as observed by the family.
  • Memorable moment:

    “Sometimes his voice would drop into a low register and he would growl at his family, saying things like, ‘Jesus is gonna die in hell, you fucking cocksucker,’ and in one instance, calling his mother a douchebag and then giggling maniacally.”
    — Daphne [13:03]

• Family reactions varied: some were terrified, while brother Carl doubted the authenticity, suggesting David craved attention and parroted adults.

3. The Warrens' Involvement and Their Controversial Legacy

[16:11–22:23]

• The Glatzels, Catholic and desperate, sought help from Ed and Lorraine Warren, famed Connecticut paranormal investigators.
• Warrens concluded David was possessed by “43 demons” and exorcisms were arranged.
• The hosts discuss the problematic, possibly exploitative nature of the Warrens’ legacy, including:
  • Exaggeration of cases for publicity (quote from one of their ghostwriters:

    “You’ve got some of the story, just use what works and make up the rest and make it scary.” — attributed by Heath [17:11])

  • Allegations of sexual abuse and manipulation made public decades later.

4. Chain Reaction: From Exorcism to Homicide

[29:55–33:04]

• During a final exorcism of David, Arne challenged the demon to "take me on," after which he began exhibiting strange behaviors.
  • Quote:

    “You never take that step. You never challenge the devil. Arne started showing the same signs my brother did when he was under possession.”
    — Debbie Glatzel (as reported by Daphne) [31:20]

• The couple moves out of the haunted home and into Bono’s apartment; Debbie starts working for Bono.
• On February 16, 1981, the fateful day unfolds: Debbie, Arne, Bono, and Arne’s three sisters drink heavily at lunch (accounts vary on how much), return to the kennel, and Bono gets belligerent.
• The narrative on the violence is muddled by conflicting memories, but it ends with Arne stabbing Bono five times.

5. Investigation and Trial: Demonic Possession as a Defense

[37:12–46:43]

• Defense attorney Martin Minella plans to plead not guilty by reason of demonic possession, aiming to set a national legal precedent.
  • Quote:

    “The courts have dealt with the existence of God. Now they're gonna have to deal with the existence of the devil.”
    — Martin Minella (quoted by Heath) [39:42]

• The judge rejects the possession defense as inadmissible, forcing a pivot to self-defense.
• Arne is convicted of first-degree manslaughter (not murder) and sentenced to 10–20 years, but is released after five years due to good behavior.
• During trial prep, the Warrens provided audio recordings of David’s exorcism (played in court and briefly in this episode).
  • Notable clip (audio reenacted on the show at [43:17–44:36]):
    • Sounds: David screaming, family and priests trying to rouse him, commands to “leave this child alone.”

6. Aftermath & Lingering Doubts

[46:43–54:45]

• Debbie and Arne marry during his incarceration and remain together until her death in 2021.
• A longstanding rift persists within the Glatzel family:
  • Carl Jr. (David’s brother) maintains David was troubled, not possessed; feels the Warrens and his own family exaggerated events for attention and profit.
  • Allegations surface that the Glatzel mother secretly dosed the family with Salminex (a sleeping pill), possibly causing David’s hallucinations:

    “The family had their medicine tonight and everything was good... I believe my mom used Salminex to control all us boys and my dad.”
    — Carl Jr. (quoted by Daphne) [50:44]

• In 2007, Carl and David sued the Warrens and author Gerald Brittle for libel and emotional distress over their book The Devil in Connecticut, citing fabrication and minimal compensation.
• The tragedy and subsequent media frenzy permanently altered and divided the family.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the sheer strangeness of the case:

  “From front to back, this entire story is terrifying and it's shocking... I had to, like, close my computer. Like, that's never happened.”
  — Daphne [02:33]

• On skepticism within the family:

  “I think David’s just acting out, and then all it takes is his dad smacking him across the face... and now he's gonna shut the hell up.”
  — Heath [15:11]

• On the sensational aspects of the trial:

  “Imagine being on that jury.”
  — Daphne [39:40]
  “The courts have dealt with the existence of God. Now they're gonna have to deal with the existence of the devil.”
  — Martin Minella, defense attorney [39:42]

• On the impact of the case:

  “An innocent man got killed, and they want to play it off that ‘the Devil made me do it’... It’s just far from the truth. I know because I lived it.”
  — Carl Glatzel Jr. [53:11]

• On the family’s alleged drugging:

  “The family had their medicine tonight, and everything was good... I believe my mom used Salminex to control all us boys and my dad, which is freaking nuts.”
  — Carl Jr. [50:44]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:15] Introduction to the case and why it stands out as “uniquely disturbing”
• [04:08] Details of Alan Bono’s life and circumstances of the murder
• [08:38] Background of Arne and Debbie, and David’s first supernatural experience
• [13:03] Emergence of David’s disturbing, “possessed” behavior
• [16:11] Entry of Ed and Lorraine Warren and their influence
• [17:11] Discussion of controversies and exploitative behavior by the Warrens
• [29:55] The exorcisms, Arne’s challenge to the demon
• [37:12] Accounts of the day of the murder, confusion over Debbie and Alan’s relationship
• [39:40] Defense’s attempt to use demonic possession and the pivotal courtroom drama
• [43:17] Audio clip of David’s alleged possession
• [46:43] Trial outcome, Arne’s sentence, and audio evidence
• [49:53] Division and fallout within the Glatzel family: skepticism, allegations of family drugging, and lawsuits
• [53:11] Carl Glatzel Jr. refutes the possession narrative on camera

Tone & Language

The hosts maintain a conversational, engaging, and occasionally irreverent tone—balancing skepticism, empathy for the victim, and shock at the supernatural claims. They openly question the authenticity of the possession narrative, highlight the problematic legacy of the Warrens, and express sympathy for Alan Bono as a victim overshadowed by sensationalism.

Conclusion

This episode offers a detailed, multifaceted account of one of the most sensational true crime stories in American history. It challenges supernatural explanations, scrutinizes media and legal responses, and foregrounds real human cost—reminding listeners that, behind the myth and media, a life was lost and a family irreparably changed.

For photos and further discussion, the hosts encourage joining them on social media, and invite listeners’ views on the intersection of true crime and the paranormal.