44-year-old Matthew James Taylor was officially indicted by a Tuscaloosa County Grand Jury this week for murdering DCH Nurse Ada Dossand and an earlier attempted robbery of another woman.The indictment also included the charge of being a “certain person forbidden to possess a firearm.”
Taylor had known mental issues which prohibted him from possesing a firearm. Court documents reveal Taylor had been diagnosed as bipolar with schizoaaffective disorder. Due to his mental state, Taylor’s attorneys requested Circuit Judge Allen W. May, Jr. to order a mental competency evaluation to determine if his able to stand trial.
The documents state the attorneys have met with Taylor several times and he, “remains in a state where he is unable to communicate with council.”
An earlier order for Taylor to be adminsitered involuntary medication stemmed from a physcian’s request due to “disruptive and bizarre behavior.”
The judge granted a request by defense attorneys for Taylor to be transferred from the Tuscaloosa County Jail to Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility.
Records reveal the accused had been admitted to North Harbor psychiatric facility more than 30 times. He has also been an inpatient resident at several other such facilities over the years.
Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Commander Capt. Jack Kennedy told reporters after the shooting that Doss was walking to her car when she was accosted by Taylor. Court documents show Taylor was pointing a handgun when he approached Doss and demanded her car keys.
Doss reportedly continued walking to her car followed by Taylor who then shot her one time. He then began rifeling through the mortally wounded woman’s belongings and got in her vehicle.
Investigators found that Taylor had been dropped off at DCH earlier saying he “needed help.” However, he never entered the facility.
Further Reading: Nurse’s Killer Has Serious Mental Illness, Doctor Says After Suspect Eats Feces in Jail
Further Reading: VCU: Mentally Ill Man Killed Nurse in Random Robbery in Parking Lot of Tuscaloosa’s DCH Hospital
Further Reading: Tuscaloosa’s DCH Reviewing All Security Measures at All 3 Hospitals After Nurse’s Murder