Dr. Gerhardt Konig, a doctor accused of attempting to kill his wife on a Hawaii hiking trail, pleaded not guilty to an attempted murder charge in court on Monday. According to his wife’s petition for a temporary restraining order, the incident occurred while they were hiking in Honolulu last month. She alleged that Konig grabbed her, pushed her towards the edge of a cliff, tried to inject her with a syringe, and then struck her head with a rock.
Since his indictment on March 28, Konig has been held without bail. His defense attorney, Thomas Otake, stated that he plans to file a motion requesting bail, emphasizing that Konig has no prior criminal record. Konig appeared for the hearing via video from the Oahu Community Correctional Center.
In a prepared statement distributed to reporters before the hearing, Otake asserted that Konig’s not guilty plea was a substantive response to the allegations. He emphasized that there are two sides to every story and that the other side would be shared within the court process at the appropriate time.
If convicted, Konig could face life in prison. The couple were visiting Oahu to celebrate the wife’s birthday while their two young sons remained at home on Maui with a nanny and family. A judge signed an order requiring Konig to stay away from his wife and children.
The wife’s petition for a restraining order detailed accusations of sexual abuse and assault by Konig, as well as previous therapy and counseling sessions following allegations of infidelity in December. During their recent trip, Konig suggested a hike on the “Pali Puka” trail in Honolulu, known for its narrow ridge sections with steep drop-offs on both sides.
The wife became uneasy during the hike and expressed her reluctance to continue. Konig then allegedly pushed her towards the cliff’s edge while yelling that he was tired of her. A struggle ensued, during which Konig attempted to inject her with a syringe. She managed to defend herself by biting his arm, but he then proceeded to strike her head repeatedly with a rock.
Witnesses on the trail intervened and called 911, assisting the wife down the trail while Konig went in another direction. She was taken to the hospital, and Konig was arrested later that evening. Konig is an anesthesiologist at Maui Health, which operates hospitals and clinics in Maui County. He has been suspended pending investigation.
Kaiser Permanente, with whom Konig is affiliated through a contracted entity, has also suspended his credentials and ability to treat patients pending investigation. The case continues to unfold as legal proceedings progress.
