Daryl Berman, 72, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 12 years before parole eligibility for the murder of her husband, 84-year-old retired businessman David Berman. A jury convicted her of murder after rejecting her defense that David Berman accidentally fell on a paring knife while carrying her lunch tray.
During the trial, Daryl Berman claimed her husband had stumbled while carrying her lunch into the kitchen and fell onto a 12cm paring knife she had used to cut her salad. The prosecution argued that the stab wound to the chest, up to 12cm deep, and a defensive wound on Mr. Berman's finger indicated a deliberate act. Forensic pathologist Dr. Philip Lumb testified that the force required for the injury would have been severe and that an accidental fatal injury of this nature is rare.
Friends and neighbors described David Berman as a "kind-hearted" gentleman. However, some residents noted that his wife tended to keep her distance. The court heard that Daryl Berman behaved in a manner described as suspicious and