He fell on the knife himself: A British woman denies murdering her husband (7 photos)

Investigators believe 71-year-old Daryl Berman killed her husband, David, in their home on Battersteel Lane in Prestwich, England. However, she claims her husband fell on the knife himself.





Prosecutors believe Berman intentionally stabbed her husband in the chest for an unknown reason.

The couple had been married for 27 years and seemed happy. During these years, no reports of domestic violence were received by police.

Mrs. Berman called 999 at 1:55 PM on March 13th to report her husband had been injured. She performed CPR on him, following the instructions of the on-call officer. He was pronounced dead at their home at 2:39 PM.



When asked about what happened, she replied, "I don't know. I was in the other room. He was carrying a tray. I only saw the tray. I think there was a knife in there. I don't know if it hit him or stabbed him. I really don't know what happened."

A paramedic found Berman lying on his back on the kitchen floor.

The man's daughter, Debbie, arrived soon after.

"She told police it was a horrific scene, like a slaughterhouse," said defense attorney Michael Brady. "Understandably, she was in shock."





The officer spoke briefly with Mrs. Berman.

She asked him, "You don't think I killed him, do you?"

The officer also spoke with Berman's son, who said his father was very clumsy and fell often.

At first, the death was not suspicious.

Five days later, on March 18th, Dr. Lamb performed an autopsy. That evening, Mrs. Berman was arrested on suspicion of murder.



During police questioning, she said she and her husband were eating dinner in the living room. Mr. Berman carried a tray into the kitchen. She said she heard a noise like someone falling. She asked, "David, what happened?" He replied, "It's okay, I slipped." Almost immediately, she heard another bang and a groan. She screamed and ran into the kitchen.

"I found him lying face down. He made a strange sound, and I carefully turned his head. I thought, 'What is this liquid? We don't have any sauce.' It turned out to be blood. I've never seen anything like it before."

She said she was in shock and couldn't figure out where the blood came from.



The doctor at the hospital became concerned about the nature of the wound and called a pathologist. The examiner, Dr. Philip Lamb, stated that the injury had all the hallmarks of homicide.

The man had a cut on his finger, which prosecutors believe may have been caused in self-defense.

The jury learned that the Bermans had a long and warm marriage, and Daryl was considered a caring and loving wife. However, Berman's behavior after her husband's death shocked the family.

She appeared "calm and emotionless" and acted "as if nothing had happened."



Shortly before his death, Berman was diagnosed with dementia and sometimes walked with a cane. However, he was in good physical condition. On that fateful day, he visited the play center with his daughter and great-granddaughter.

Brady's attorney asked the jury: "Could David Berman's death have been the result of a tragic accident, an injury sustained in a fall? Or was his death the result of an attack? Did she stab him in the chest and cut his finger while he was defending himself?"



Mrs. Berman denies murder, and the trial continues.