Daryl Berman, 72, has been found guilty of murdering her husband David Berman, 84, following a retrial at Minshull Street Crown Court. The jury delivered the verdict on Tuesday, June 23, after a week-long trial.
Fatal incident at home
On March 13, 2025, at their home on Butterstile Lane, Prestwich, Greater Manchester, Mr Berman suffered a fatal chest wound. Mrs Berman called 999 at 1.55pm, and he was pronounced dead at 2.39pm. She initially claimed her husband had fallen onto a small paring knife she had used for lunch, but prosecutors argued she deliberately stabbed him.
Home Office pathologist Dr Philip Lumb reported 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.
Relationship and behaviour
The couple had been married for 27 years, described as 'loving and mutually supportive' with no history of domestic violence. However, prosecutor Michael Brady KC noted that Mr Berman's family observed the defendant as 'matter of fact and emotionless' in the days after his death. Mr Berman had dementia, used a walking stick, and had been short of breath, but his family said he was in good health.
On the day of his death, Mr Berman had been with his daughter and great-granddaughter at a play centre. Mrs Berman called 999 and performed CPR under instruction. She told the operator: '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.'
Police investigation
Initially, the death was not treated as suspicious. However, five days later, a post-mortem examination raised concerns, leading to Mrs Berman's arrest. In police interview, she described hearing a stumble, finding her husband face down, and mistaking blood for gravy. She denied murder, saying: 'Why would I do that to the man I love?'
During the trial, she broke down in tears, saying she lay next to him and cradled his head. The prosecution accused her of lying, but she maintained her innocence. Senior Crown Prosecutor Sazeeda Ismail 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. The jury saw through her lies.'
Berman was remanded into custody and will be sentenced on July 3.
