Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Sara Clements | Film | October 20, 2023
No matter how you feel about Netflix, you have to admit that they’re good at producing documentaries that leave you with your jaw hanging wide open. On this episode of “WTF did I just watch,” featuring a Netflix documentary, we cover The Devil on Trial. In 1981, Satan took the stand in a Connecticut courtroom as a teenager accused of murder proclaimed: the “Devil made me do it.” This is the first and only time that demonic possession has been used as a defence in a United States murder trial.
It’s an insane upgrade from “my dog ate my homework,” but not only did Arne Cheyenne Johnson truly believe he was possessed, others did, too. Those who have seen The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It will already be familiar with this case, but for those who haven’t, here’s the rundown. This unbelievable story begins with the Glatzel family as the documentary investigates the apparent possession of 11-year-old David Glatzel. We are privy to a dark account of this family’s experiences — and a retelling of the brutal murder that followed.
The Glatzel family did everything they could to free David of his torment, turning to the Catholic Church and Ed and Lorraine Warren. If you’re familiar with The Conjuring franchise, you will be familiar with the Warrens, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga in the films. At this time, the paranormal experts were hot off their investigation into the haunting at The Amityville Horror house, another site where the Devil may have had his hand in a murder. It seemed that the couple was the family’s last hope until Arne Cheyenne Johnson, David’s sister Debbie’s boyfriend, challenged the Devil to free David and possess him instead. This action sent the Warrens into panic mode, fearing the repercussions of that act. And while David seemed to no longer be possessed, five months later, Arne stabbed his landlord, Alan Bono, to death.
Using reenactments, home videos, and audio recordings, The Devil on Trial paints a disturbing portrait of what happened to the Glatzel family and the aftermath. It’s clear from interviews with David and his brother Alan Glatzel, conducted for this documentary, that whatever evil they may have faced continues to haunt them - and they want to set the record straight. The trauma is evident as they recount their experience and listen to chilling recordings of David demonically growling and maniacally laughing. The wounds feel fresh, and this is especially the case for Johnson, who is also interviewed. He fully believes he wasn’t responsible for the murder, and with the way he tells it, it’s hard not to believe him. Interviews with everyone from Johnson’s lawyer to the detective on the case to a priest and a journalist put this story all in perspective, and it seems that perhaps the Devil really was holding all the cards.
But Netflix loves a story with a twist, and whether or not this story is a hoax comes down to another Glatzel brother, Carl. Despite living in the same house as the rest of the family, he has a completely different account of what happened. This perspective adds an even deeper layer to the story, one that indicates possible alternative motives by the Warrens and a dark family secret. The Devil on Trial, at the end of the day, is a pretty basic Netflix documentary in its structure. However, it’s interesting how it manages to blur the lines in this family’s terrifying battle between good versus evil, putting to question who perhaps was evil all along.
What really happened? Who’s telling the truth? It’s difficult to say, but the truth often isn’t so black and white. It’s clear, that after 40 years, everyone involved is still having a hard time processing what happened. It’s a documentary that many will have a hard time processing — for the fear of the unknown can create as much terror as facing the Devil himself.
