In 2021, the third installment of the renowned horror franchise, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” continued the tradition of drawing inspiration from real-life tales of malevolence. The film centered around an actual murder case in the United States where the defendant claimed that “the devil made me do it,” marking the first known use of demonic possession as a legal defense. Now, an upcoming documentary on Netflix delves into the depths of this chilling true story.

Scheduled for its premiere on October 17, 2023, “The Devil on Trial” will be available to stream on Netflix. This documentary offers an unprecedented exploration of a unique legal case that sent shockwaves through the nation.

“The Devil on Trial” goes deep into the disturbing history of the first and only instance where “demonic possession” served as an official defense in a murder trial within the United States. It presents firsthand accounts of alleged demonic possessions and horrifying murder, forcing viewers to confront their fears of the unexplained and supernatural.

The case at the heart of this documentary was one of the most sensational trials of the 1980s. Arne Cheyenne Johnson made headlines when he fatally stabbed an acquaintance with a five-inch folding knife. What made this case truly extraordinary was Johnson’s audacious defense: he claimed he was not guilty because he was under the influence of demonic possession, famously declaring, “The Devil made me do it.”

The ominous saga began months before the murder when David, the eleven-year-old brother of Johnson’s girlfriend, had a terrifying encounter. He claimed to have seen a spectral figure lurking at the foot of his bed, and soon after, he exhibited signs of demonic possession. David started speaking in Latin, levitating and endured brutal assaults from an invisible demon. When a team of Catholic priests failed to exorcise the malevolent force, the case was handed over to Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens, renowned for their battles against supernatural forces worldwide, faced a formidable adversary in the form of the Connecticut Devil, making this case one of their most daunting and potentially lethal challenges.

Christopher Holt directs this forthcoming feature documentary, promising an in-depth and gripping exploration of a legal and supernatural enigma that has lingered in the annals of history, offering viewers a chilling journey into the realm of the unexplained and the horrifying.