Daryl Berman, 72, has been found guilty of murdering her husband, David Berman, 84, at their home in Prestwich, Bury. The verdict was delivered on June 23, 2026, after a week-long retrial at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester. Berman had claimed that her husband accidentally fell onto a small paring knife she had used for lunch, but prosecutors argued she deliberately stabbed him.
Incident and Initial Response
The fatal incident occurred on March 13, 2025, at the couple's home on Butterstile Lane. Berman called 999 at 1:55 PM, reporting that her husband was injured. He was pronounced dead at 2:39 PM. The first paramedic found Mr. Berman lying on his back on the kitchen floor. When a police officer arrived, Berman reportedly asked, 'You don't think I've murdered him, do you?'
Initially, police accepted Berman's explanation that the injury was accidental. However, five days later, a pathologist's post-mortem examination raised concerns. Home Office pathologist Dr. Philip Lumb testified that the stab wound had 'typical features of a homicide' and that an accidental fall was 'very unlikely to have caused the fatal wound.' Mr. Berman also had a defensive wound on his finger.
Prosecution's Case
Prosecutor Michael Brady KC told jurors that Berman stabbed her husband 'for a reason known only to her.' He highlighted that Mr. Berman's family noted Berman's 'matter of fact and emotionless' behavior after his death. '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,' Brady said.
The court heard that Mr. Berman, who had dementia and used a walking stick, had been in good health before his death. On the day of the incident, he had visited a play centre with his daughter and great-granddaughter.
Defense and Testimony
In her defense, Berman testified that she and her husband had lunch in the lounge, and he offered to take her tray to the kitchen. She said she heard a stumble and a fall, then found him face down in a pool of blood. She broke down in tears, saying, 'Why would I do that to the man I love? No.' She denied lying to the jury, stating, 'Everything I have said is the truth.'
Her barrister, Mr. Hayton, asked, 'The suggestion is that you murdered your husband of 27 years, did you?' Berman replied, 'Why would I do that to the man I love? No.' When asked how he died, she said, 'I have absolutely no idea, I wasn't in the room.'
Verdict and Sentencing
The jury convicted Berman of murder after a previous trial had failed to reach a verdict. She was remanded into custody and will be sentenced on July 3, 2026. 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.'
