Gerhardt Konig, a former anesthesiologist accused of trying to kill his wife on the Pali Puka hiking trail in Honolulu County, is on trial for attempted murder and assault.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Konig, 47, is accused of beating Arielle Konig in the face with a rock and trying to push her from a steep cliff’s edge, during her birthday hike on March 24, 2025.
On Friday, the jury viewed several items of evidence, including a bloody shirt police found the defendant wearing during his arrest, and the bloody rock that investigators believe he used to strike Arielle multiple times with.
During testimony by Honolulu Police Department Criminalist Scott Henderson, the defendant smiled at his attorney while Henderson described DNA results from STRmix, which is what the HPD crime lab used, the Star Advertiser reports.
Henderson stated the findings showed “very strong support” that the DNA on the rock matched Arielle by a high probability. He stated that there was a moderate probability of DNA belonging to the defendant.
HPD Forensic Scientist Michelle Amorin also took the stand Friday and testified that the “stained area of the rock, the DNA profile obtained, was consistent with one female individual,” according to Court TV.
The defendant’s defense attorney, Thomas Otake, who argued that Arielle pushed Konig first, asked whether DNA on the rock would prove how blood got on it.
Amorin confirmed that the DNA wouldn’t establish how the blood got there or if an altercation caused the blood.
Earlier last week, Arielle Konig testified that her husband became enraged when she refused to take a selfie by the cliff’s edge, and began hitting her in the head with the rock.
The defense is arguing that he acted in self-defense, claiming Arielle became infuriated when he accused her of a supposed affair.
The trial continues. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo via Facebook]