Missing scenes / narratives

1) Connection between Isla, Arne and Jessica - they never explained why Isla picked those 2 in particular for the sacrifice and how she knew them. And David getting possessed in the beginning makes it more ridiculous, since there was no way anyone could know that Arne would challenge the demon and make it pass to him from David.

2) The defense lawyer - I thought they'd show what the Warrens did to/show the lawyer to convince her that paranormal activity is real. The lawyer tells them that she needs to be convinced first and then in the next scene (in the courtroom), has a shocked look like she witnessed something scary in the Warren's house. But we never find out - maybe it was cut out of the final draft?

Was also expecting some courtroom arguments or closing statements ala 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose', to wrap it all up but that didn't happen either. What made the defense convince the jury to make them call it manslaughter and not first degree murder?

This movie was pretty good on its own but a weak entry in the Conjuring series esp. if you judge it by the scare factor. Better than the Ll Llarona spin off but not the Nun or Annabelle movies for me.