A haunted waterbed, a family in over their heads, and a courtroom where the devil wasn’t allowed to testify. We pull apart the real story behind The Conjuring 3’s “Devil Made Me Do It” and ask the hard questions the legend prefers to skip. Did a possession jump from a teenage boy to his sister’s boyfriend, or did stress, alcohol, and tangled relationships set the stage for a fatal mistake? We trace the timeline from the Bridgeport–Newtown move and the first “be well” shove to improvised deliverances, the Warrens’ infestation–oppression–possession framing, and the day Alan Bono was stabbed after a long, wine-soaked afternoon.

Our conversation looks closely at conflicting accounts: why some memories are crystal clear when possession is said to erase recall, how suggested phenomena seemed to appear after being described, and what happens when a judge rejects a supernatural defense. We dig into the trial pivot to self-defense, Arne Johnson’s manslaughter conviction and early release, and the broader ecosystem of books, documentaries, and films that turned this case into cultural folklore. Along the way, we examine incentives, the control of evidence, and the thin line between belief and storytelling that shapes so much of American paranormal lore.

If you care about true crime clarity, paranormal skepticism, or just want to understand how a single case became a franchise touchstone, this one’s for you. Hit play, follow the receipts with us, and tell us where you land: demon, denial, or something messier in between? If you enjoy the show, tap follow, share this episode with a friend who loves The Conjuring universe, and leave a quick review—it helps more curious listeners find us.

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AS ALWAYS D-A-S