A 72-year-old woman has been convicted of murdering her 84-year-old husband following a week-long retrial at Minshull Street Crown Court. Daryl Berman was found guilty of killing David Berman at their home on Butterstile Lane in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, on March 13, 2025.
Prosecution Argument: Deliberate Stabbing
Prosecutors argued that Berman deliberately stabbed her husband 'for a reason known only to her'. The couple had been married for 27 years and their relationship was described as 'loving and mutually supportive', with no history of domestic violence or police involvement. Berman maintained throughout two trials that her husband's injuries and death were accidental, claiming he fell over in their kitchen and landed on a 'little paring knife' she had used for her lunch.
Home Office pathologist Dr Philip Lumb reported that the stab wound had 'typical features of a homicide' and stated that while not impossible, an accidental fall was 'very unlikely to have caused the fatal wound'. Mr Berman was also found to have a 'defensive' wound to his finger.
Events Leading to Death
The court heard that on the day of his death, Mr Berman had spent time with his daughter and great-granddaughter at a play centre. He had been diagnosed with dementia, relied on a walking stick, and had experienced 'shortness of breath' in the 10 days prior, but prosecutors noted he had been 'in the best health his family had seen for some time'.
Berman dialled 999 at 1:55pm to report her husband was injured. She administered CPR under the guidance of the operator. Mr Berman was pronounced dead at their home at 2:39pm. The first paramedic on scene found Mr Berman lying on his back on the kitchen floor.
Defence and Cross-Examination
During police questioning, Berman said her husband had volunteered to carry her tray into the kitchen after they both ate lunch in the lounge. She heard a stumble and a fall, and found him face down in blood. She told officers: 'I got the shock of my life because I didn't know where it was coming from.'
Breaking down in tears while giving evidence, Berman said: '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.'
Prosecutor Michael Brady KC pressed her: 'Are you lying to this jury?' Berman responded: 'No, I'm not... everything I have said is the truth.'
Behaviour After Death
Prosecutors stated that Mr Berman's family observed unusual aspects of Berman's behaviour in the days following his death. Michael Brady KC 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 also heard that Berman asked a police officer: 'You don't think I've murdered him, do you?'
Pathologist Concerns and Arrest
Initially, police accepted Berman's account that the injury was accidental. However, concerns were raised five days later when a senior pathologist conducted a post-mortem examination after another doctor was 'troubled' by the injury. Berman was arrested on suspicion of murder that same evening.
Verdict and Sentencing
Jurors in an earlier trial were unable to reach verdicts. Following a week-long retrial, they found Berman guilty of murder on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Berman was remanded into custody 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 Mr Berman 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 Berman's loved ones at this very difficult time.'
