Judge denies new trial for Maui doctor convicted of trying to kill wife on Oahu trail

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – On Friday, a Circuit Court judge denied a new trial for a Maui doctor convicted of attempting to kill his wife on an Oahu hiking trail.

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In April, jurors found Gerhardt Konig guilty of attempted manslaughter.

After the verdict, Konig’s attorney, Thomas Otake, filed a motion for a new trial, arguing that juror comments to the media showed they misunderstood instructions.

There were also suggestions that a juror may have communicated during deliberations with someone watching a livestream of the trial.

Earlier this month, over two days, Judge Paul Wong called back every juror to ask if they discussed the case with anyone outside of the deliberations room.

Each testified “no.”

Otake maintained the state failed to meet its burden of proving no misconduct occurred.

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“Just because 12 jurors come in here five months later in a public setting and deny wrongdoing doesn’t prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, doesn’t meet the state’s burden. The state should do more and produce more,” Otake said in court.

Judge Wong said the alleged post doesn’t state or infer outside influence affected the jury.

“The plain language of the alleged post does not state, nor does it infer, that outside influence affected the jury. It is difficult to conclude that the alleged post rises to some specific substantial evidence showing that occurrence of the outside influence may have possibly biased the juror.”

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The defense plans to appeal.

Konig’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2027.

He faces up to 20 years in prison.