Daryl Berman, 72, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 12 years for the murder of her 84-year-old husband David Berman. The conviction followed a week-long retrial at Minshull Street Crown Court, after a previous jury failed to reach a verdict.
Incident and Initial Claims
The incident occurred on March 13, 2025, at the couple's home on Butterstile Lane in Prestwich, Manchester. Berman called 999 at 1:55 PM reporting that her husband had been hurt. Despite her performing CPR under operator guidance, Mr. Berman was pronounced dead at 2:39 PM. Berman initially claimed that her husband, who used a walking stick and had dementia, had stumbled and fallen onto a small paring knife she had been using for her lunch.
Prosecutor Michael Brady KC told the court that Berman's account was initially accepted by police. However, a senior pathologist later raised concerns about the nature of the wound. Home Office pathologist Dr. Philip Lumb stated that the stab injury had 'typical features of a homicide' and that an accidental fall was 'very unlikely to have caused the fatal wound.'
Evidence and Trial
The court heard that Mr. Berman also sustained a defensive wound to his finger. The couple had been married for 27 years and were described as 'loving and mutually supportive,' with no history of domestic violence or police involvement. Despite this, prosecutors noted that Mr. Berman's family observed Berman's 'matter of fact and emotionless' demeanor in the days following his death.
During police questioning, Berman stated that her husband had offered to take her lunch tray to the kitchen. She heard a stumble and then a groan, and found him face down in a pool of blood. She said, 'I got the shock of my life because I didn't know where it was coming from.' In her testimony, she broke down in tears, insisting, 'Why would I do that to the man I love? No.'
Sentencing and Victim Impact
Judge Tina Landale, in sentencing, acknowledged that Berman had been 'nurturing and caring' towards her husband but stated, 'Life was changing for you, and not for the better. Something happened between you. David Berman fell to the floor and you stabbed him in the chest. He tried to defend himself. I am satisfied you lost your temper.'
In a victim impact statement, Mr. Berman's daughter, Debbie Davies, expressed ongoing trauma: 'Since finding out my father died due to Daryl is an ongoing nightmare. I feel like I can't even mourn my father. He was just getting to know his great-grandchildren.' The judge noted that the unknown trigger for the attack had caused 'ongoing distress' to the family.
