Daryl Berman, 72, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her husband David Berman, 84, at their home in Prestwich, Manchester. The court heard that on March 13 last year, she stabbed him in the chest with a vegetable knife after an argument. She initially claimed he had stumbled and fallen onto the knife while taking her lunch tray to the kitchen.
Police Bodycam Captures Disturbing Calmness
Police bodycam footage showed Berman asking officers, “Why are the police here? You don’t think I murdered him do you?” She also remarked, “Why am I so calm?” while covered in blood. The Crown described her as “very calm and matter of fact” at the scene, and noted she had little blood on her despite claiming she had rolled over her husband.
Prosecutors said Mr Berman also had a stab wound to his right middle finger, which is a common self-defence injury. A post-mortem examination concluded the death was non-accidental, leading to her arrest.
Background of a Decades-Long Marriage
The couple had been married for 27 years and were described as having “adored each other.” Mr Berman had recently been diagnosed with vascular dementia, and Berman was said to be nurturing and caring towards him. Judge Tina Landale noted, “This was a domestic incident against a background of a decades-long happy marriage.”
After the stabbing, Berman called an ambulance and her husband’s children so they could see him as he fought for his life. Despite her efforts to resuscitate him, he died at the scene.
Family Devastation and Justice Served
In a victim personal statement, Mr Berman’s son, also named Daryl, said he knew his father’s life was in danger by the “tone of her voice.” He added, “Not being able to say goodbye properly will always be hard to swallow. I feel cheated.” Mr Berman’s daughter, Debbie Davis, said, “I feel like I’m living in my own nightmare TV programme… It has left a massive void in my life.”
Berman was convicted by a jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court after a retrial. The first jury was discharged in December when they could not reach a verdict. She showed no reaction as she was led from the dock.
Police Statement
Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson said after sentencing: “David Berman was an 84-year-old man who should have been able to enjoy his later years in the safety of his own home. Instead, his life was cruelly cut short by the person he trusted most. From the outset, Daryl Berman attempted to present her husband's death as a tragic accident… However, the findings of the post-mortem examination exposed the truth and ultimately led to her being found guilty of his murder.”
