Hawaii anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig took the stand this week in his attempted murder trial one year after he allegedly tried to throw his wife off a 1,200-feet-high cliff.

Konig testified in his own defense on Wednesday, April 1, that he was having marital issues with his wife Arielle Konig in the months leading up to their trip to the Hawaiian island of Oahu in March 2025.

Gerhardt claimed in court the issues stemmed from an affair Arielle had with a co-worker, which Arielle during her testimony last week claimed was an “emotional affair,” and that the couple was working through this at the time of the alleged attack.

On March 24, 2025, when they were on a hike to celebrate Arielle’s birthday, she alleges Gerhardt tried to push her off a cliff and inject her with an unknown substance before bashing her head with a rock. She survived after two hikers nearby heard her screams for help.

On Wednesday, Gerhardt gave his account of events, alleging he acted in self-defense after, he testified, Arielle shoved him near the edge of the cliff, and denying he had syringes on him that day. Arielle has never been charged in connection with the assault claims made by Gerhardt.

He told the jury the couple got into an argument related to the man he considered Arielle’s former lover. Following the argument, they briefly parted ways before reuniting atop the cliff when Arielle apologized.

After they took a selfie, Gerhardt now alleges, he “felt a shove” and “was almost pushed over the edge” by Arielle.

As he approached her asking what she was doing, Gerhardt alleged in court, Arielle began screaming “help me” before grabbing his wrist and pulling him to the ground.

He further alleged she grabbed his testicles and began hitting him with a rock on the side of the face. His lawyer showed an image of him in court with blood visible on the face.

Gerhardt testified that he “wrestled” the rock out of Arielle’s hand and hit her two times “on instinct to defend myself.”

This claim of self-defense contradicts the testimony of his own son Emile Konig, who took the stand earlier this week.

Emile, Arielle’s stepson, told the jury that Gerhardt made no claims of self-defense when he called Emile immediately after the alleged attack on Arielle.

On one FaceTime call, Gerhardt had blood splatter on his shirt and reportedly told Emile that he “tried to kill” Arielle because she had had an affair and he was “at the end of his rope,” Emile testified.

In her testimony last week, Arielle, a nuclear scientist, told the jury she was “hopeful” about her marriage when they went on their trip.

She claimed she was “uneasy” while on the hike in the Pali lookout and as she stepped away from the edge of the steep cliff after taking a photo, Gerhardt then allegedly attacked her.

Bodycam footage from a responding officer showed Arielle with blood streaming down her face as she was being helped by two witnesses who had called 911 after they heard her scream for help. The witnesses have also testified in court.

Gerhardt is on trial for attempted murder. He is expected to continue his testimony.