A woman has been convicted of murdering her husband after claiming he fell in their kitchen onto a small knife. Daryl Berman, 72, insisted that the death of her husband, David Berman, 84, was accidental, but after a retrial at Minshull Street Crown Court, she was found guilty of murder. The incident occurred at their home on Butterstile Lane, Prestwich, in March last year.
Prosecutors stated that Berman stabbed her husband for reasons only known to her. The court heard that emergency services were called by Berman at 1:55 pm on March 13, 2025, reporting her husband’s injury. He was pronounced dead at their residence at 2:39 pm. A senior pathologist later confirmed that the stab wound exhibited typical features of a homicide, deeming an accidental fall highly unlikely to have caused the fatal injury.
Despite the couple’s 27-year loving and supportive marriage with no history of domestic violence, Berman’s behavior following her husband’s death raised suspicions among his family members. They observed her being matter-of-fact and emotionless in the days after his passing. The court also heard that Mr. Berman had dementia and health issues leading up to his death, but his family noted he was in better health than usual.
Berman was arrested on suspicion of murder after a post-mortem examination raised concerns about the circumstances of her husband’s death. During questioning, she maintained her innocence, asserting that she was not present when the incident occurred. However, the jury convicted her of murder due to the prosecution’s compelling case. Berman will be sentenced on July 3.
Sazeeda Ismail, senior Crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, emphasized that Berman intentionally caused her husband’s death through a chest stab wound and misled authorities and family members about the circumstances. The prosecutor expressed sympathy for David Berman’s loved ones during this challenging period.