John Hoffman also often known as 'Roland Doe' is the young boy whose demonic possession is said to have become the basis for the notoriously scary movie 'The Exorcist'.

It is unknown which if either is the real name but he was said to have been a 13-14 year old boy that was reportedly freed from possession by a catholic priest in the late 1940's. 

All known information regarding the exorcism of John Hoffman has been taken from a mysterious diary believed to have been kept by one of the priests in attendance.

Extracts from the priests diary tell of:

Unexplained dripping noises, a picture of Jesus being shook on a wall, scratching noises under floor boards, and footsteps.  Soon after this began John Hoffman's Aunt died (The Aunt with which he lived who had also previously instructed John in the use of the Ouija board).

Soon after his Aunts death scratches began to appear on the young boys body, this went on for several days, and then words began to appear on John Hoffman's body, words which appeared to have been made by claws.

A Catholic Priest named 'Father Bowdern' was called and permission was obtained to perform an exorcism.  John Hoffman was over the next few months transported back and forth between his home and a nearby church as the exorcism continued.

The Roman Ritual of Christian Exorcism reads: "I cast thee out thou unclean spirit, along with the least encroachment of the wicked enemy and every phantom and diabolical legion..."

The exorcism initially met with repeated failure, with one priest being slashed with a bed spring, and an image of the devils face appearing on John Hoffman's leg.  The Catholic Priest Bowdern however refused to give up and dressed in religious talismans and holding a crucifix repeatedly performed the rites.

The possession of John Hoffman came to an end when during the final session the young boy unexpectedly cried out "Satan! I am Saint Michael! I command you to leave this body now!"  John Hoffman's body then with a massive violent spasm uttered "He is gone!"

John Hoffman later claimed to have seen a vision of Saint Micheal expeling the demon.