SPOKANE, Wash - One of Spokane's most notorious criminals could soon be a free man, as the man known as the "South Hill Rapist" is asking for his release from a special commitment center for sexually violent predators.

Kevin Coe was accused of a string of rapes that terrorized Spokane in the 1970s and 1980s.

He was ultimately convicted of one of those rapes and served 25 years at the state penitentiary in Walla Walla.

After his release, the state petitioned to have Coe declared as a sexually violent predator. A jury agreed and sent Coe to the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island.

He's been there ever since.

During his prison term and confinement at the Special Commitment Center, Coe has never admitted guilt and never participated in mental health counseling.

Court records show

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