A judge is set to consider a bail request on Tuesday from Gerhardt Konig, a doctor from Maui, who is charged with attempted murder for allegedly trying to kill his wife on a hiking trail in Honolulu. The hearing comes after Konig pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stem from an incident that occurred in March.
According to a petition for a temporary restraining order filed by his wife, the couple was hiking on Oahu for her birthday when Konig became aggressive. She claimed that he grabbed her, pushed her toward the edge of a cliff, attempted to inject her with a syringe, and then struck her head with a rock. Following the incident, she filed for divorce.
The case has attracted media attention, particularly due to the nature of the allegations, which involve domestic violence. The Associated Press typically withholds the names of domestic violence victims unless they choose to disclose their identities. In this situation, Konig's wife remains unnamed as per these guidelines.
Konig, who works as an anesthesiologist and is 46 years old, has been held without bail since his indictment on March 28. His defense team argues that he has no prior criminal history and that his family, including his two young children, reside in Hawaii. They contend that he will remain in the state as he fights the charges.
However, prosecutors have opposed the bail request, emphasizing the severity of the charges that could lead to a life sentence. They also noted that Konig attempted to flee after the alleged attack. Following the incident, he reportedly called his adult son and confessed to trying to kill his wife, adding that he would turn off his phone to avoid being tracked by police. After the incident, he hid in the bushes until nightfall, even though the attack occurred earlier in the day, prompting a police search that eventually led to his arrest.
Upon apprehension, Konig expressed surprise when informed that his wife was not dead, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The injuries sustained by his wife included significant head trauma that required surgical intervention. During their trip to Oahu, the couple's two sons remained on Maui with a nanny and family, further indicating the personal stakes involved in this domestic dispute.
The hiking trail where the incident took place, known as Pali Puka, has been closed due to safety concerns, with warnings posted to deter hikers from proceeding past certain points. Despite these warnings, Konig and his wife accessed the trail through a clearing near a lookout point while celebrating her birthday.
In her petition, the wife recounted that she had expressed discomfort during the hike and wished to turn back. However, Konig insisted on continuing, returning briefly before becoming hostile. According to her testimony, during a heated exchange, he pushed her toward the cliff, yelling about his frustrations with her. The situation escalated into a physical struggle, during which he allegedly attempted to inject her with a syringe. After she defended herself by biting him, he reportedly calmed momentarily before retrieving a rock and violently attacking her.
This alarming incident was witnessed by two women on the trail who called 911 to report the ongoing situation, emphasizing the immediate nature of the domestic violence claim. Subsequently, a judge issued a restraining order against Konig, mandating that he stay away from his wife and children.
For anyone affected by domestic violence, help is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233 in the U.S. This case serves as a reminder of the serious issues surrounding domestic abuse and the critical importance of protective measures for victims.
