Daryl Berman, 72, has been convicted of murdering her 84-year-old husband David Berman in their home in Prestwich. She initially convinced police that his death was an accident, claiming he fell onto a small paring knife she had used for lunch.
Details of the Incident
David Berman suffered a fatal chest wound at their home on Butterstile Lane, Prestwich, in March 2025. Prosecutors said Daryl deliberately stabbed her husband 'for a reason known only to her'. The couple had been married for 27 years, described as 'loving and mutually supportive' with no record of domestic violence.
Daryl insisted in court that her husband's injuries and death were accidental. Jurors in an earlier trial were unable to reach verdicts, leading to a retrial. Following a week-long retrial at Minshull Street Crown Court, jurors found Berman guilty of murder on Tuesday, June 23.
Emergency Call and Initial Response
The court heard Daryl called 999 at 1.55pm on March 13 last year to report her husband was injured. He was pronounced dead at their home at 2.39pm. Initially, police accepted her explanation, but concerns were raised when a senior pathologist was called in because another doctor was 'troubled' by the injury, prosecutor Michael Brady KC said.
Home Office pathologist Dr Philip Lumb stated the stab wound had 'typical features of a homicide'. He said an accidental fall was 'very unlikely to have caused the fatal wound', though not impossible. David also had a 'defensive' wound to his finger.
Behaviour After the Death
Prosecutors noted unusual aspects of Daryl's behaviour in the days following the murder. Mr Brady said: 'Although there is no set way to respond to and deal with grief in the days following David's death, members of his family noticed how matter of fact and emotionless the defendant was.'
The court heard David had been diagnosed with dementia, used a walking stick, and had been suffering from shortness of breath in the ten days prior. However, Mr Brady told the court: 'He had been in the best health his family had seen for some time.' Earlier on March 13, David had been with his daughter and great granddaughter at a play centre.
Daryl's Account
In her 999 call, Daryl said: 'I don't know. I was in the other room. He's carried a tray in. And all I can see is the tray. I think there was a knife. I don't know whether the little knife that was there has gone into him and stabbed him.' The first paramedic found David on his back on the kitchen floor.
After a police officer arrived, Daryl asked: 'You don't think I've murdered him, do you?' The officer also spoke with David's son, who said his dad was 'clumsy' and 'always falling'. David's death was not initially treated as suspicious, but five days later, after a post-mortem examination, concerns were raised. Daryl was arrested on suspicion of murder that evening.
During her police interview, Daryl stated she and her husband had lunch in the lounge, and he offered to take her tray into the kitchen. She heard a stumble or fall, then another bang and a groan. She found him face down, mistaking blood for gravy. She said: 'I got the shock of my life because I didn't know where it was coming from.'
Trial Testimony
Giving evidence, Daryl repeatedly broke down in tears. Asked how she felt after being told he died, she wept: 'I was scrambling... I took the sheet off his face and lay down next to him and cradled his head and told him I loved him.' When asked if she murdered her husband, she replied: 'Why would I do that to the man I love? No.'
In cross-examination, Mr Brady asked: 'Are you lying to this jury?' Daryl replied: 'No, I'm not... everything I have said is the truth.' The prosecutor continued: 'Because you stabbed him and you are responsible for his death?' She responded: 'No I would never do that to the man I loved. It was the worst day of my life.'
Sentencing and Prosecution Comment
Berman now faces life behind bars and will be sentenced on July 3. Sazeeda Ismail, senior Crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Daryl Berman stabbed her husband of 27 years in the chest and intentionally caused his death. She lied to paramedics, police and family members when she claimed David had accidentally sustained his fatal injuries. The jury saw through her lies and convicted her of murder, due to the strength of the prosecution's case. My thoughts are with David's loved ones at this very difficult time.'
