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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — [UPDATE: Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m.:] A crime scene investigator testified that a firearm found at the scene of Jake Embert’s death was “most likely placed there” based on its positioning and the absence of blood spatter on the victim’s hand.

Sergeant Craig Billsby from the Albany Police Department crime scene investigation unit told the court the firearm was not in a natural position consistent with being fired and dropped.

“This firearm was not fired and fell free fall. It tells me that it was most likely placed there. Because that is not a natural position,” Billsby said.

For more past Susan Embert trial coverage, click here.

Hand showed no signs of firing weapon

Billsby also testified about the condition of Embert’s right hand, noting the absence of evidence typically seen in self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

“As well as it being on top, the hand is very pale. There are no red marks or any type of blowback spatter that you would see if someone were to have shot themselves in the head,” he said.

Defense attorneys questioned Billsby about potential explanations for scene alterations, including movement by emergency medical technicians or other officers. Billsby confirmed items could be moved by first responders but said he would not know their intent.

Doctor found no suicidal ideations

Dr. Bruce Houston, Embert’s former physician, testified he observed no suicidal ideations during his treatment of the patient. Houston said he had protocols for addressing such concerns but never needed to implement them with Embert.

“Generally, I would either start them on an antidepressant or increase their dose and refer them to psychiatry,” Houston said when asked about his suicide prevention protocol.

The testimony contradicted claims made in a 911 call where Susan Embert said she believed her husband killed himself after learning he was gay and had diseases. Houston testified he knew nothing about Embert being gay or having diseases.

Defense attorney Devin Rafus questioned Houston about Embert’s medical history, establishing the patient had been treated for anxiety from 2009 through 2014, along with low testosterone, panic attacks and depression.

Houston confirmed low testosterone treatment was possible and acknowledged it could potentially cause depression.

Body cremated day after death

Funeral director Jeff Horne testified he was called by Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler to retrieve Embert’s body. Horne said Susan completed paperwork the next morning and proceeded with cremation the same day.

“I got permission for the cremation the day of when I was picking him up at the residence,” Horne said.

Horne testified there was no request for a memorial service and no other family members requested the ashes or a service. He said there was no pressure to rush the cremation process and he followed general procedures.

[UPDATE: Jan. 9, 1:40 p.m.:] Two firearms experts testified about the gun used in the death of William Jake Embert, analyzing everything from bullets to magazines and examining whether the weapon could be operated by both left-handed and right-handed shooters.

James Adams was called by the state to testify about the firearm and bullet recovered from Embert’s bedroom. The defense questioned Adams about earlier testimony from Will Embert indicating that Jake Embert was left-handed.

Defense Attorney Devin Rafus questioned Adams about the weapon’s magazine release design.

“But in this particular weapon, the mag release is for a right-handed shooter,” Rafus said.

“The magazine release button is on... For me, it would be my right side. It would be on the left side of the gun because my right thumb would be on it,” Adams said.

Rafus continued his questioning about right-handed operation: “And again, if I’m right-handed, and I’m holding the gun, that is meant to be on that side so I can use... I don’t have to move the gun in different hands or sliders, I can just push that down to slide it back, correct?”

“Correct,” Adams responded.

The state then called Judge Steven Chammoun, the state’s firearms expert witness who analyzed the firearm and bullets. Chammoun also addressed questions about left-handed gun operation.

State attorney William Dowdy White asked whether left-handed shooters could still operate the weapon without modifications.

“If you don’t have that magazine release or that slide lock moved to accommodate a left-handed shooter, can a left-handed person still shoot it?” White asked.

“Yes, sir. But there’s not... there’s not really... in the firearms world, there’s not a left-handed firearm that I know of,” Chammoun said.

White followed up: “Have you ever seen someone fire a Glock with their left hand?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve fired Glocks with my left hand,” Chammoun responded.

Thursday, Jan. 9, the judge ruled that an Albany Police Department officer can testify as an expert witness on blood stain analysis, while other testimony revealed a witness failed to report seeing blood on a defendant’s hand to responding officers.

Day Two: Victim’s son, experts testify about blood evidence

[UPDATE: Jan. 8, 2 p.m.:] The son of a murder victim testified Thursday, Jan. 8 that he saw what appeared to be blood on his stepmother’s hand the morning his father died. This marked an emotional start to the fourth day of Susan Embert’s third murder trial.

Will Embert, who was 17 years old at the time of his father’s death in 2014, took the stand Thursday morning in Dougherty County. He testified that he and his father, William Jake Embert, were at home eating breakfast and discussing their plans for the day.

Will Embert said they planned to watch a 1975 Firebird, that his father once owned, race at the Albany Motor Speedway after the car’s buyer was able to get it running. Will Embert’s girlfriend at the time was supposed to join them.

Will Embert testified that he left the house to pick up his girlfriend, a drive that took about 40 minutes. When he returned, he said he heard Susan Embert yelling and she told him not to go inside the house when he got out of his truck.

During questioning by State Attorney White, Will Embert testified about what he observed on Susan Embert’s hands.

“On her left hand, on her ring finger, between her second and third knuckle, I saw what appeared to be blood,” Will Embert said. “Her left hand— she was holding her phone with.”

The defense then questioned Embert about his testimony regarding witnessing blood on Susan’s hand.

“How many police officers do you think arrived?” Defense Attorney Cullen asked.

“In total, four, maybe five,” Embert said.

When asked about EMTs, Embert said they eventually arrived as well.

Cullen then asked if Embert told any of those people about blood on Susan’s hand.

“No,” Embert said.

Court hears testimony about blood evidence and witness observations during extended proceedings

The jury took a two-hour lunch break while attorneys questioned Officer Craig Billsby outside their presence to determine his qualifications as an expert witness.

After both prosecution and defense questioned Billsby about his knowledge and experience with blood stain analysis, the parties argued whether he should be excluded from testifying.

The judge ultimately ruled that Billsby is qualified to testify as an expert based on his experience. He may explain his observations and relevant terminology, but he may not testify about fault, the credibility of witnesses or the reasons why events occurred.

Blood expert testifies about evidence movement

Blood stain pattern expert Bryan Smith was then called to the stand to testify that evidence at the crime scene showed signs of movement, though he could not determine when or by whom objects were moved.

Smith, called by the state, discussed shooting incident investigations and blood stain pattern analysis as several crime scene photos were shown to the jury.

During state questioning, Smith said the blood evidence suggested movement had occurred.

“When you have a blood stain, and then a blood stain, and the blood source is no longer with one of the blood stains, that does support the logical conclusion that the blood source moved at some point,” Smith said.

The state asked if the logical conclusion was that an object “was picked up and then put back down.” Smith agreed that would be a logical conclusion.

During cross-examination by defense attorney Hyman, Smith acknowledged limitations in his analysis.

“So, some bloody object was moved. You don’t know when it was moved?” Hyman asked.

“I don’t,” Smith said.

Smith also said he did not know who moved the object. When asked if EMTs could have moved evidence while rendering aid, Smith said anyone at the scene could have moved things and that EMT activity could have altered the scene.

Day One: Opening Statements, Witness Testimony Begins

[UPDATE: Jan. 7, 8 p.m.:] Opening statements began on Wednesday, Jan. 7, the third day of a Dougherty County woman’s third murder trial. Susan Embert is accused of murdering her husband, William ‘Jake’ Embert.

Susan Embert’s second trial ended abruptly in December 2025, when Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler mentioned evidence that was supposed to be excluded from the trial while on the stand.

Before opening statements Wednesday, the court heard arguments from the defense on why testimony from Officer Craig Billsby should be excluded from the trial. They argued that his testimony as an expert witness was disclosed to them too late. Prosecutors acknowledged the late disclosure, citing changes in the case file since Embert’s December mistrial.

Judge Victoria Johnson denied the defense’s motion to exclude the testimony, allowing it so long as it follows parameters set by the Georgia Supreme Court. She also granted the defense the opportunity to question Officer Billsby outside the presence of the jury.

State presents timeline, defense maintains suicide claim

In opening statements, state prosecutor William Dowdy White described Jake Embert as a loving father and hardworking man. He also told jurors the evidence would show that 53-year-old Jake Embert was shot by his wife and that his death was not a suicide. White presented a timeline of the day Jake Embert died and said the evidence would demonstrate he was opposed to suicide.

During their opening statements, the defense remained steadfast that Susan Embert did not kill Jake Embert, and that he committed suicide.

911 call played for jury

After opening statements, the state’s first witness took the stand. The 911 call that Susan Embert made in 2014 was played aloud for the court to hear. In the recording, you can hear a hysterical Susan Embert telling the 911 operator that her husband killed himself and giving the reason why she believed her husband killed himself.

“What did you understand as to why she said Jake shot himself— her husband— shot himself” the state asked Carolyn Lewis, a former 911 call operator.

“That he was gay, and he had diseases and stuff,” Lewis replied.

“In your experience, is it common for callers in suicide situations to provide unsolicited details like this that were provided to you today,” the prosecution questioned.

“I haven’t had a call like that before,” Lewis replied.

Officers testify about crime scene

James Adams was the second to testify. He worked with the Dougherty County Police Department (DCPD) as a patrol officer. He responded to the Emberts’ home on the day of Jake Embert’s death.

Adams testified that he attempted to secure the scene on June 28, 2014 when he saw Susan Embert standing outside the home with another individual.

Adams also testified about the photos he took of the crime scene, specifically of the hallway, a bedroom and the gun found at the scene.

Anthony Gordon Rogers was also called to the stand. He was a lieutenant with the DCPD. He testified that when he arrived at the scene of Jake’s death, he witnessed Susan Embert crying because her husband was gay and did not want anyone to find out about it.

When cross-examined by the defense, attorney Devin Rafus asked questions about her crying.

“You mentioned that she was crying. Would you agree that everyone reacts differently to some sort of shock gamut?” Rafus said.

“Yes, sir,” Rodgers replied.

The defense rested their examination after that.

Coroner questioned about ruling change

Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler also took the stand today. The trial had previously ended when Fowler mentioned “antifreeze,” referencing excluded evidence. Before the jury returned, Fowler was questioned outside the jury’s presence to ensure there weren’t any mishaps like the one that abruptly ended the second trial.

When the jury returned, he was questioned by both the state and the defense about the timeline of his ruling change.

“So, the timeline from that day of saying suicide to the August 14th or whatever day it was, I found out other information that helped me determine that,” Fowler said.

Defense attorneys questioned why investigator Lee Wilson was asking Fowler to change his ruling if he had already made the decision.

“He wanted me to investigate it more,” Fowler said.

District Attorney Greg Edwards asked Fowler whether he faced pressure from various parties to change his decision. Fowler denied pressure from the district attorney’s office, the Dougherty County Police Department, any private investigator, or any other individual. Fowler was subject to recall before he left the stand.

For more past Susan Embert trial coverage, click here.

On June 28, 2014, police found 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 this trial.

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