The Hawaii doctor accused of making an attempt to kill his spouse on a birthday hike final 12 months referred to as his son over FaceTime, confessed to the assault and threatened to kill himself, his son testified in courtroom Tuesday.
On March 24, 2025, Dr. Gerhardt Konig stated “that he would not be making it back to Maui and to take good care of the younger kids,” Emile Konig testified. “(He said) that Ari, my stepmom, had been cheating on him and that he tried to kill her.”
Gerhardt allegedly FaceTimed his son once more about an hour later and stated he was going to soar off a cliff, however Emile instructed him not to achieve this. “I’m going to go before the police catch me,” Gerhardt stated, in accordance to the son’s testimony.
That was the final time he talked to his father, Emile Konig testified.
Son recounts dad’s alleged confession in Hawaii trial
The 19-year-old son of a Maui doctor accused of trying to kill his spouse throughout a birthday hike says his dad confessed throughout a FaceTime name to him. Gerhardt Konig is on trial for an tried second-degree homicide cost. If convicted, he faces a sentence of life in jail with the potential of parole. He has pleaded not responsible.
The particulars of the dramatic calls had been revealed in a Honolulu courtroom throughout Gerhardt Konig’s trial on an tried second-degree homicide cost. Prosecutors allege the 47-year-old anesthesiologist shoved his spouse, Arielle Konig, towards a cliff edge, tried to inject her with a syringe and bashed her head repeatedly with a rock throughout a hike in Oahu.
Arielle Konig, a nuclear engineer, testified final week in regards to the “shocking” assault on the steep and slim Pali Puka path. She stated she fought again and screamed for assist till two fellow hikers arrived and intervened.
In the months earlier than the hike, the couple had been going to counseling after she engaged in what she referred to as an “emotional affair” with a coworker. She stated her husband had deliberate the weekend journey from their dwelling in Maui to Oahu to have a good time her thirty sixth birthday.
The defendant has pleaded not responsible to the cost, which might include a sentence of life in jail with the potential of parole. His legal professional, Thomas Otake, has described the incident as an “an unplanned, unanticipated scuffle” and stated she attacked him first. He argued that she is giving false testimony in an try to get his cash and home.
Gerhardt has two older youngsters from an earlier marriage, and the couple additionally has two younger sons. Arielle has filed for divorce, and their youngsters are in her custody.
The prosecution rested its case on Tuesday after testimony from Emile and from Arielle’s dad and mom. The protection is predicted to start calling witnesses on Wednesday. Gerhardt Konig might select to testify in his personal protection.
Emile Konig stated he was at dwelling on Maui on March 24, 2025, when he received a FaceTime name from his father – who he referred to as “the defendant” – at 10:42 a.m.
On the decision, Gerhardt confessed that he had tried to kill Arielle however stated she had gotten “away,” and he stated he deliberate to soar off the cliff, Emile testified.
His father appeared to be outdoors and was carrying sun shades and a dry match shirt, he stated. The son requested in regards to the splatters on his father’s shirt, and his father stated it was Arielle’s blood, Emile testified.
Afterward, Emile testified, he went to his grandparents’ home close by and instructed them in regards to the name.
Emile stated he acquired one other FaceTime name from his father at about 11:46 a.m. Gerhardt requested if he had instructed anyone, and the son confirmed he had.
Gerhardt then repeatedly stated he was going to soar off a cliff and stated he had thought of suicide within the months main up to the hike, the son testified.
“He said he was at the end of his rope,” Emile stated.
Judith Mast, Arielle’s mom, confirmed in her brief testimony that Emile came to visit and instructed them in regards to the name that morning.
“He was very upset,” she stated. “He was shaking, crying.”
She stated she tried to name and textual content Arielle, and she or he tracked the placement of her daughter’s cellphone to the path. At 11:33 a.m., she texted Gerhardt, “Is Arielle ok?” He didn’t reply, she stated.
The grandparents flew from Maui to Oahu to see Arielle within the hospital, she testified.
Arielle Konig was handled for extreme lacerations and stayed on the hospital for one night time. In her testimony, she stated her restoration took about two to three months, and she or he confirmed the jury scars on her head and face.
Gerhardt Konig was arrested on the day of the assault whereas making an attempt to flee police, a number of officers testified earlier within the trial.