Gerhardt Konig, a Hawaii doctor convicted April 8, 2026, of attempted manslaughter for an alleged 2025 hiking-trail attack on his wife, is seeking a new trial. His defense says post-trial juror statements and an alleged social-media contact with a juror could have tainted deliberations. Judge Paul Wong said he will question jurors to determine whether outside influence affected the verdict before deciding whether to grant a retrial. Konig remains jailed without bail; the next hearing is Sept. 11, 2026.
Hawaii Doctor Seeks New Trial After Juror-Misconduct Claims in Wife's Manslaughter Case
Gerhardt Konig appears in court in Honolulu on April 7, 2026Credit: AP Photo/Mengshin Lin, Pool
Four months after a jury convicted Dr. Gerhardt Konig of attempted manslaughter, his defense attorneys have asked a judge to order a new trial, citing post-trial juror comments and alleged improper social-media contact that they say may have tainted the verdict.
Judge Will Question Jurors
At a hearing on Aug. 14, 2026, First Circuit Court Judge Paul Wong said he will question jurors directly to determine whether outside influence affected deliberations before deciding whether to grant a retrial. "The court must ascertain the extent of the influence, so the burden is on me," Judge Wong said. "I have to do what I really don't want to do and bring in these jurors and ask whether they were tainted by outside influence."
Gerhardt Konig reacts in court after his verdict is read by the jury on April 8, 2026Credit: Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Advertiser via AP, Pool
Defense's Claims
Konig's lawyers pointed to two developments as grounds for a new trial. First, two jurors spoke to media outlets after the verdict and made statements that, the defense contends, raise doubts about whether the jury was unanimous on whether Konig intended to kill his wife. Second, the defense cited a social-media video in which an anonymous user claimed to have been messaging with a juror while deliberations were ongoing — conduct that would violate court rules prohibiting outside contact with jurors.
"I'm not faulting the jurors. They're human. They're trying their best. But mistakes happen, misunderstandings happen," defense attorney Thomas Otake told the court. He urged the judge not to allow a potentially flawed verdict to stand.
Case Background and Trial Testimony
Konig was convicted by a Hawaii jury on April 8, 2026, of attempted manslaughter while acting under extreme mental or emotional disturbance. The charges stem from an alleged attack during a 2025 hiking trip, when his wife, Arielle Konig, has said he pulled her toward the edge of a steep cliff, tried to inject her with an unknown substance and struck her head with a rock before fleeing the scene. Two hikers who heard her screams called 911, according to testimony.
A mugshot of Gerhardt Konig.Credit: Honolulu Police Department
Key witness testimony included Arielle, who testified on March 24, 2026, and Gerhardt's son, Emile Konig, who testified on March 31, 2026. Emile told the jury that Gerhardt called him immediately after the alleged attack, saying he had "tried to kill" Arielle and that he was going to jump off a cliff.
Next Steps
Konig remains jailed without bail. Judge Wong's inquiry will determine whether juror statements or online contact improperly influenced the jury; if he finds interference, the court could order a new trial. The next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 11, 2026.
Sources: Court filings and reports from CNN, KITV News and Hawaii News Now. Photo credit: Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Advertiser via AP (pool).
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