What happens when someone claims they were possessed during a crime? In this episode of Journey to the Fringe, we explore the strange collision of demonic possession, criminal law, and insanity defenses. From the chilling Ossett murder case in England, to the infamous “Devil Made Me Do It” trial in Connecticut, to the Son of Sam killings and the execution of Sean Sellers, we uncover how courts wrestle with claims of the supernatural. Along the way, we examine the blurred lines between psychology, belief, and responsibility—and how possession defenses reveal society’s deepest fears about evil, madness, and free will.

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What happens when the defense in a murder trial isn’t insanity, self‑defense, or diminished capacity—but demonic possession?

In this episode of Journey to the Fringe, we explore the eerie intersection of criminal law, psychology, and the supernatural. Courts don’t recognize demons as legal entities, but history is full of defendants who claimed they were compelled by otherworldly forces. Judges and juries are then left to decide: was it psychosis, manipulation, or something darker?

We examine some cases where possession collided with the justice system:

• The Ossett Murder Case (1974, England): An exorcism that ended in tragedy.
• “The Devil Made Me Do It” Trial (1981, Connecticut): Arne Cheyenne Johnson’s shocking defense that inspired The Conjuring franchise.
• David Berkowitz, the “Son of Sam” (1976–77, New York): A serial killer who claimed a demon spoke to him.
• Sean Sellers (1980s, Oklahoma): A teenager who blamed Satanic possession for murders.
• R. v. Parks (1987, Canada): A case where sleepwalking, automatism, and criminal responsibility collided in unprecedented ways.

Through these stories, we uncover how possession defenses reveal society’s deepest anxieties about evil, free will, and accountability. The legal system may not validate the supernatural, but it cannot ignore the chaos such claims unleash in courtrooms and communities.

Sources:

Michael Taylor (1974 – UK)

Wikipedia: Michael Taylor (Ossett murder case)

Arne Cheyenne Johnson – (1981 – USA)

Wikipedia: Devil Made Me Do It case

Netflix: The Devil on Trial

David Berkowitz –(1976–77 – USA)

Wikipedia: David Berkowitz

FBI Vault: David Berkowitz Files

Sean Sellers (1985–86 – USA)

Wikipedia: Sean Sellers

Human Rights Watch Letter on Sean Sellers

🛏️ R v. Parks (1987 – Canada)

Wikipedia: R v Parks