Serial Killer Seeking Release From Mendota

A 70-year-old serial killer’s efforts to be released from the Mendota Mental Health Institute will continue this week with a hearing in Washington County Court Friday afternoon. Alvin Taylor is scheduled to appear by video from Mendota. Taylor killed four men in the mid-1980s in Wisconsin and Minnesota. One of the victims was from Washington County. Taylor was found not guilty of the crimes because of mental disease or defect and has been in Mendota for 29 years. Under the law, Taylor can apply for release every six months. Even if the Washington County judge approves Taylor’s release request, he would still have to convince judges in Dunn and Eau Claire counties that he was no longer a risk to society.