A court judge declined a Maui anesthesiologist’s request for release on bail as he contests accusations of attempted murder after allegedly attempting to kill his wife on a hiking trail in Honolulu. Gerhardt Konig, who has already pleaded not guilty, is accused by his wife in a temporary restraining order request, of an incident in March involving pushing her towards a cliff’s edge while trying to inject her with a syringe and assaulting her with a rock. They were on a birthday trip in Honolulu when Konig proposed the hike, claiming it was a celebratory gesture.
Judge Paul Wong denied the bail citing substantial evidence of Konig evading law enforcement and posing a flight risk and threat to the victim. The wife has since initiated divorce proceedings, with her lawyer requesting the case remain private to protect their children due to the extensive media exposure surrounding the incident.
The trail known as “Pali Puka” has been closed for safety reasons, as stated by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, with clear signage warning, “Area Closed! Do not go beyond this sign.” Despite this, visitors often venture through a small area near a lookout point with scenic views.
According to the wife’s petition, Konig pushed her towards the precipice screaming his grievances, leading to a physical altercation during which he attempted to inject her with an unidentified substance. She managed to defend herself by biting him and believed the threat had subsided until he attacked with a nearby rock, inflicting serious head injuries that required surgical intervention, as prosecutors disclosed. Prosecutors highlighted the couple’s young children remained on Maui, cared for by a nanny and family at the time of the alleged attack.
The prosecuting team opposed the bail request by asserting Konig might face a life sentence if convicted and attempted to flee following the incident. He reportedly contacted his adult son confessing to the attempted murder and intended to disable his phone to elude police capture. Authorities discovered Konig hiding in foliage until evening after the morning assault.
Once detained, Konig expressed surprise that his wife had survived, according to prosecutorial accounts. Defense attorney Thomas Otake contested these claims, indicating that the weapon was merely a “small rock” and questioned the extent of the injuries as evaluated by doctors.
During the hearing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joel Garner detailed that Konig stored lethal drugs at home and suggested multiple tactics to murder his wife. Garner also mentioned Konig’s international ties, such as his origin from South Africa. Earlier, in December, Konig accused his wife of infidelity, and subsequent court documents since the arrest revealed at-home possession of syringes and drugs labeled anesthesia.
While Otake acknowledged the drugs’ presence at the couple’s residence in Maui, he rebutted their significance due to the absence of such substances found in Oahu. Since Konig’s indictment on March 28, he remains detained without bail. Attempting a reasonable bail arrangement, his legal team emphasized Konig’s lack of criminal history and posed a suggested bail figure between $100,000 and $200,000, reflecting his financial constraints amid divorce proceedings.
Expressing determination, Otake indicated Konig’s readiness to face trial, anticipating a case hinging on contrasting testimonies from both parties.