A Casper man suspected of trying to stab another man should be committed to Wyoming State Hospital in Evanston until he's fit for legal proceedings, a judge ruled Monday.

The decision, by Natrona County District Judge David Park, came during a brief competency hearing for Sloan Selwyn. Park ordered the evaluation in June to determine Selwyn's "mental status at the time of the alleged offense and his competency to assist in his own defense," court records show.

The results of the evaluation were not discussed during the hearing, but Park referenced them when he ordered Selwyn committed. Neither Assistant District Attorney Dan Itzen nor defense attorney Nichole Collier contested the evaluation.

Selwyn, shackled and wearing an orange jail uniform, did not speak during the hearing.

Police arrested Selwyn, 21, in April after a man said Selwyn tried to stab him inside a home on the 1500 block of East A Street.

The man told police the attempted stabbing followed an argument over the use of a telephone, according to a police affidavit. Selwyn allegedly told the man he was going to kill him while making slashing motions with the knife. The man, who had his infant son on his lap, ducked to avoid being stabbed.

The man tried to get out of the home, but Selwyn blocked the back door and swung the knife above the man's wife when she tried to intervene, according to the affidavit. The man managed to get to another door, but Selwyn allegedly grabbed him by the back of the shirt and attempted to stab him again.

The man escaped after he wiggled out of his shirt and fled across the street.

In an interview with police, Selwyn said the man had threatened him and the knife was for protection.

Prosecutors later charged Selwyn with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.

Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.