ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Some of you may remember in March, NBC’s Dateline released an episode called “Malice” highlighting the murder of William “Jake” Embert in Dougherty County.

‘After the Verdict’ podcast episode

Now in an episode of “After the Verdict,“ NBC Correspondent, Blayne Alexander, spoke with the daughter of the victim, Rachel Embert. The two highlighted a law that the family is pushing to get passed, The William ‘Jake’ Embert Investigative Integrity & Victims’ Act.

Blayne: “I know that you’re not one to sit back. I know that you’re not the one to not take action, and so it certainly doesn’t surprise me to know that you are now entering a new phase of advocacy and pushing for a new law. Tell me more about that.”

Rachel: “Yeah, absolutely. So the official title is The William ‘Jake’ Embert Investigative Integrity & Victims’ Act Aligned with Marcy’s Law.”

Blayne: “Walk me through this law. What are you hoping that it does?”

Rachel: “First thing’s first. The coroner standards have got to change. When you think about the depth’s of it, it’s almost scary. That you have somebody classifying and ruling your cause and manner of death without the medical training that death deserves.”

Blayne: “And that’s priority for you?”

Rachel: “That is absolutely my priority.”

To watch that full episode, check out the Dateline Subscriber Podcast “After the Verdict” wherever you get your podcasts.

>> MORE SUSAN EMBERT COVERAGE <<

The William ‘Jake’ Embert Investigative Integrity & Victims’ Act

WALB first reported on the family’s push in March 2026. When Rachel Embert and her family submitted the legislation to the Georgia General Assembly.

The family said it’s core purpose is to strengthen investigative integrity, establish clear professional standards and to ensure victims families are heard, protected and treated with dignity.

“The ball was dropped on so many occasions when it came to the judicial system. There’s so many systematic gaps that need to be filled and my father’s case exposed all of them. Change is absolutely necessary, required, and it should be implemented.”

The William ‘Jake’ Embert Act addresses early investigative inconsistencies, lack of standardized oversight, and gaps in coroner training, qualifications and protocols. It also addresses prolonged procedural delays that create emotional and financial strain and breakdowns in communication with victims families.

In the legislation, the family is also calling for mandatory coroner qualifications, certification and oversight, with enforceable victims’ rights protections and communication standards and safeguards against unreasonable delays aligned with Marcy’s Law.

Case backstory

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 2025, and Susan Embert was set to be tried again in December 2025. During that retrial, Dougherty County Coroner, Michael Fowler, mentioned excluded testimony, resulting in a mistrial.

On 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. She was sentenced to life without parole, plus five years.

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