Man accused of killing Alabama nurse prohibited from having gun due to mental illness, records show
The 41-year-old was diagnosed at age 18 with bipolar with schizoaffective disorder, documents show.
Mason Reed 
A Tuscaloosa County grand jury has formally indicted 41-year-old Matthew Taylor on charges of capital murder during a robbery, first-degree robbery, and being a person forbidden to possess a firearm. The indictment follows the tragic shooting death of 27-year-old Ada Doss, an Alabama nurse who was killed during a robbery attempt on May 12.
Legal and Medical Developments
New court records reveal that Taylor was prohibited from owning a firearm due to a documented mental health history, specifically a diagnosis of bipolar disorder with schizoaffective disorder dating back to when he was 18. Defense attorneys noted that Taylor has been admitted to the North Harbor psychiatric facility over 30 times, along with multiple other inpatient stays. Counsel currently reports that Taylor remains in a state where he is unable to communicate with them.
Following a judge's order last week, Taylor is authorized to receive involuntary medication after reports of bizarre and disruptive behavior while in custody. On Thursday, a judge granted a request from the suspect's attorneys to transfer him from the Tuscaloosa County Jail to the Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility.
The Tragic Incident
The shooting occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on May 12 as Doss was walking to her car during a shift change. Authorities say Taylor, who had no prior connection to the victim, approached her with a handgun and demanded her keys. After Doss continued toward her vehicle, Taylor followed her and fatally shot her once. He then proceeded to search her belongings and enter her car.
Investigators from the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit stated that Taylor had attempted to rob another woman just moments before the encounter with Doss, but that individual managed to drive away. According to TCVU Capt. Jack Kennedy, Taylor had been dropped off at the DCH campus earlier that day by a family friend after expressing a need for help. However, instead of entering the emergency room, Taylor lingered on hospital grounds for several hours. He was taken into custody on hospital property shortly after the shooting.
The investigation into Matthew Taylor remains ongoing, with officials citing both physical evidence and statements from the suspect that point toward a clear history of mental health struggles.
