Daijiworld Media Network - Honolulu

Honolulu, Apr 2: A doctor accused of attempting to kill his wife during a birthday hike in Honolulu has claimed in court that he acted in self-defence after she allegedly tried to push him off a cliff.

Gerhardt Konig, 47, testified before an Oahu courtroom on Wednesday, stating that his wife, Arielle Konig, attempted to shove him during an argument while they were hiking along the Pali Puka Trail on March 24, 2025.

According to his testimony, a physical struggle ensued after the alleged shove. He claimed his wife grabbed him and struck him with a rock, prompting him to wrestle it away and hit her twice. He admitted to injuring her but insisted his actions were in self-defence.

The account sharply contrasts with Arielle Konig’s earlier testimony, where she alleged that her husband lured her to the cliffside under the pretext of taking a photograph before attacking her with a syringe and a rock, saying, “Nobody’s coming to save you.”

Prosecutors have charged Gerhardt Konig with second-degree attempted murder, alleging that the attack was premeditated. However, the doctor denied carrying a syringe and rejected claims that he confessed to his son during a video call following the incident.

During the trial, their 19-year-old son testified that his father admitted to trying to kill his mother, a claim Konig disputed, saying the word “kill” may have been mentioned but not as a confession.

Arielle Konig told the court that she managed to escape the attack and was assisted by hikers, who alerted emergency services. A 911 call presented in court described a man allegedly trying to kill a woman who was bleeding heavily.

The incident reportedly occurred months after Gerhardt Konig learned of his wife’s emotional affair, which he said had left him “devastated,” despite the couple attending counselling.

The trial is ongoing.