An assault suspect who was committed to a psychiatric hospital in August seemed confused Tuesday during his first court appearance since his legal proceedings resumed.

"I didn't understand half of the stuff you said," Sloane Selwyn told Judge David Park at one point during his arraignment in Natrona County District Court.

Selwyn, 26, is accused of trying to stab a man inside a Casper home in April. He faces two charges each of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. He could serve up to 22 years behind bars if convicted on all counts.

At an August hearing, Park had Selwyn committed to Wyoming State Hospital in Evanston until the defendant was fit for legal proceedings. That decision came after Selwyn underwent a mental evaluation to determine, in part, his competency to assist in his legal defense.

In court Tuesday, proceedings against Selwyn resumed after his attorney, Assistant Public Defender Nichole Collier, said she accepted the conclusions of a report from the state hospital.

The findings themselves weren't discussed during the court hearing.

Selwyn appeared in court wearing two braids in his hair and an orange jail uniform. He expressed confusion multiple times as Park advised him of his basic rights. The judge and Collier took time to answer Selwyn's questions.

Park also asked Selwyn whether he had any medical conditions.

"I can't really remember a lot," the defendant said. "I fall asleep sometimes."

In response to another question from the judge on whether there were any other issues affecting his ability to concentrate, Selwyn made a strange reply about breathing in toxins.

After Selwyn's questions had been answered, Park asked him to enter a plea.

"As far as I know, not guilty," he told the judge.

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

The man told police the incident followed an argument over the use of a telephone.

Selwyn allegedly told the man he was going to kill him while making slashing motions with a knife, according to a police affidavit. The man, who had his infant son on his lap, ducked to avoid being stabbed.

The man told police he tried to get out of the home, but Selwyn blocked the back door and swung the knife above his wife when she tried to intervene, according to the affidavit. The man managed to move 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.

Selwyn remains held at Natrona County Detention Center in lieu of $50,000 bond.

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