ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Wednesday, Jan. 28, Dougherty County Superior Court Judge Victoria Johnson sentenced Susan Embert to life without parole, plus five years for the murder of her husband, William “Jake” Embert.

On Jan. 7, Susan Embert was found guilty on all charges related to Jake Embert’s death, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and a firearms charge.

Susan Embert faced two sentencing options: life with or without the possibility of parole. The count of “possession of a firearm” carried another five years.

During Wednesday’s sentencing, Judge Johnson heard from Jake Embert’s children, sister, nieces, and other loved ones, each asking that Susan Embert be sentenced to the fullest extent of the law.

“He did not choose this, he did not cause this, and he did not deserve this. Susan took my father’s life through unspeakable evil. You poisoned him, you shot him, and then you staged the scene to make it look like my father committed this horrific act against himself. What Susan did was calculated. Susan’s actions were malicious, they were intentional, they were methodical, and they were deliberate. This is evil in its most malignant form.”

During the proceedings, Susan Embert’s defense team filed a motion asking that sentencing be continued, but the judge denied that motion, allowing the sentencing to proceed.

The defense also objected to the victim impact statements referencing lab testing evidence regarding poisoning that was excluded from Susan Embert’s most recent trial.

“She is scum of the earth, a liar, a thief, a murderer. She’s trash. In my opinion, you do not deserve to walk freely on this earth or to even draw breath. Your Honor, my family is requesting the maximum sentence for each of the charges that Susan is being charged with. I, on the other hand, don’t believe our tax dollars are worth housing and feeding her. Like it says in the Bible, eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Blood for blood. Your Honor, I know that the death penalty isn’t on the table, but if it were up to me, that would be my punishment."

Susan Embert’s family asked the judge for the lesser sentence of life with the possibility of parole.

On June 28, 2014, police found William “Jake” Embert dead from a gunshot in his Dougherty County home. His wife, Susan Embert, told police it was suicide. In 2015, a grand jury indicted Susan Embert on malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and a firearms charge

The case went to trial in 2019, and she was convicted. In Feb. 2024, a judge dismissed the case over speedy trial and improper juror concerns. Embert was then let out of jail.

The Georgia Supreme Court reversed the dismissal in June of 2025, and Susan Embert was set to be tried again in December 2025. During that retrial, Dougherty County’s coroner mentioned excluded testimony.

On Dec. 5, Judge Victoria Johnson declared a mistrial without prejudice, saying the coroner’s comment appeared unintentional but required a new jury.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, a jury of 12, plus three alternates, was finalized after the state and defense asked 69 potential jurors a plethora of questions to see if they would be the right fit for the third trial.

The jury returned Susan Embert’s guilty verdict on Jan. 16, 2026.

You can watch our coverage of Susan Embert’s third trial below:

This is a developing story. Stay with WALB for updates.

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