A 72-year-old woman has been convicted of murdering her husband, who suffered from dementia, at their home in Prestwich, Greater Manchester. Daryl Berman fatally stabbed 84-year-old David Berman in the chest before falsely claiming to police that he had accidentally fallen onto a small paring knife she had used for her lunch.
Guilty Verdict After Retrial
On Tuesday, June 23, following a week-long retrial at Minshull Street Crown Court, a jury found Daryl Berman guilty of murder. An earlier trial had ended with jurors unable to reach a verdict. The couple had been married for 27 years and were described as having a 'loving and mutually supportive' relationship with no history of domestic violence or police involvement.
Prosecutor Michael Brady KC told the court that Berman deliberately stabbed her husband 'for a reason known only to her.' The fatal incident occurred on March 13, 2025, at their home on Butterstile Lane in Prestwich. Berman called 999 at 1:55 PM reporting her husband was injured; he was pronounced dead at 2:39 PM.
Pathologist's Findings Contradict Accident Claim
Home Office pathologist Dr. Philip Lumb conducted a post-mortem examination and determined that the stab wound had 'typical features of a homicide.' He stated that while not impossible, an accidental fall was 'very unlikely to have caused the fatal wound.' Mr. Berman also had a 'defensive' wound on his finger, suggesting a struggle.
Initially, police accepted Berman's explanation that the injury was accidental. However, concerns were raised five days later when the pathologist's examination prompted a senior pathologist to be called in. Berman was arrested on suspicion of murder that same evening.
Berman's Account and Emotional Testimony
In a police interview, Berman claimed she and her husband had lunch in the lounge, and he offered to take her tray into the kitchen. She said she heard a stumble and a fall, then found him face down on the kitchen floor with a large amount of blood. She told officers she thought it was gravy and screamed.
During the trial, Berman gave emotional testimony, breaking down in tears. When asked how she felt after being told he had died, she said: 'I was scrambling, I didn't know what I was doing. I went into the kitchen on quite a few occasions because I just wanted to be with David. I took the sheet off his face and lay down next to him and cradled his head and told him I loved him.'
Under cross-examination, prosecutor Michael Brady KC asked: 'Are you lying to this jury?' Berman replied: 'No, I'm not... everything I have said is the truth.' When accused of stabbing him, she said: 'No I would never do that to the man I loved. It was the worst day of my life.'
Family Observations and Prosecution Comments
Prosecutor Michael Brady KC noted that David Berman's family observed unusual aspects of the defendant's 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,' he said.
Mr. Berman had been diagnosed with dementia, used a walking stick, and had experienced shortness of breath in the ten days prior. However, he had been in the best health his family had seen for some time, according to Mr. Brady. Earlier on the day of his death, Mr. Berman had been with his daughter and great-granddaughter at a play center.
Sentencing and CPS Statement
Berman was remanded into custody and will be sentenced on July 3. Senior Crown Prosecutor Sazeeda Ismail of 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.'
