UPDATE: In a dramatic turn in the trial of Daryl Berman, accused of murdering her husband, David Berman, a defence pathologist has testified that he is “much more in favour” of the tragedy being an accident. The trial is currently underway at Minshull Street Crown Court in Prestwich, where jurors are grappling with conflicting interpretations of evidence surrounding the fatal incident.
On March 13, 2023, authorities allege that Daryl Berman fatally stabbed her 84-year-old husband in their home, but she vehemently denies the charge. The couple had been married for 27 years, and prosecutors claim Daryl stabbed David “for a reason known only to her.” However, she insists that his death was accidental, asserting he fell onto a knife in their kitchen.
During court proceedings, pathologist Dr. Philip Lumb, who performed a post-mortem examination, suggested that the circumstances surrounding David’s death were inconsistent with an accident. He pointed to a fatal wound located just under David’s right armpit, which he described as “inconceivable” to have occurred accidentally.
In stark contrast, defence pathologist Dr. Richard Shepherd argued that the single stab wound was highly unusual and not typical of domestic violence stabbings. He emphasized that the nature of the wound and its placement indicated it could have occurred due to a “horizontal jabbing motion,” but also noted the potential for “severe force” to have been involved. Dr. Shepherd stated, “Accidental injuries are very rare,” further complicating the narrative surrounding the case.
Jurors learned that bruising around the wound could have resulted from fingers pressing against the skin, a point that Dr. Shepherd highlighted. He disagreed with other pathologists who classified David’s finger injury as “defensive,” suggesting instead that it could have been caused by something other than the knife, such as a “shard of broken crockery.”
The trial has taken a tense turn as cross-examination unfolded. Prosecuting counsel Michael Brady KC pressed Dr. Shepherd on the credibility of the accidental hypothesis. The pathologist acknowledged, “This is a hypothesis. I accept I favour it was accidental rather than intentional,” leaving jurors to navigate the complex evidence presented.
As the trial continues, the emotional weight of the couple’s long-standing marriage and the tragic circumstances surrounding David’s death loom large. Daryl Berman, described as a “very supportive and loving wife,” faces the heart-wrenching implications of the charges against her.
The jury’s deliberation will be crucial in determining whether they find sufficient evidence to support the prosecution’s claims or if they accept the defence’s argument of accidental death.
What happens next in this unfolding drama is critical to watch as the trial progresses, and the implications for Daryl Berman’s life hang in the balance. Stay tuned for further updates as this case develops.
