Widow Daryl Berman guilty of Prestwich husband’s murder

Daryl Berman, 72, was charged after her 84-year-old husband David Berman was found dead with stab wounds at their shared home on Butterstile Lane, Prestwich on March 13 last year.

More than a year on a jury at Minshull Street Crown Court convicted Berman of murder by majority verdict of 11 to one.

In his closing speech to the jury, Michael Brady KC, prosecuting, said: “If you find that the blow to the chest was deliberate, there’s only one candidate for the person who inflicted that blow.

“Domestic fatal external knife injuries are extraordinarily rare.”

The trial was heard at Minshull Street Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss)

Mr Brady had told the jury that Berman had used a kitchen knife to stab her husband in the chest.

The emergency services had at first thought the death to be non-suspicious and Berman was not concerned a suspect until a coroner raised concerns days after her husband’s death.

 During the trial, Berman maintained her innocence and claimed that Mr Berman had accidentally fallen on the knife while she was in another room.

Police on the scene on Butterstile Lane (Image: Newsquest)

During the trial, the just heard Berman speaking to a 999 operator.

She said: “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. I don’t know whether the little knife that was there has gone into him and stabbed him. I really don’t know what has happened.”

READ THE TRIAL IN FULL:

During his closing speech Michael Hayter KC, defending, said that Berman had been “nurturing her husband through difficult times” and described the case as “extraordinary”.

Michael Hayton KC said: “The evidence you have heard is extraordinarily limited.”

But after 13 hours and 38 minutes of deliberations, the jury convicted Berman of murder by a majority of 11 to one.

David Berman was found dead at his home (Image: GMP)

Judge Tina Landale ruled that Berman be brought back to court to be sentenced on Friday July 3.

Speaking after the verdict,  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.”