FAIRFIELD — The trial of Matthew Wallace, whom authorities say kidnapped and assaulted a Fairfield college student, could be on hold pending a psychological evaluation.

Wallace, 20, of Keosauqua, faces life in prison on the kidnapping charge. The sexual abuse charge carries up to 25 years in prison. But nothing will happen until after experts have a chance to evaluate whether he is competent to face trial.

Judge Michael Mullins ordered Wallace to undergo a formal evaluation at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center, the facility that includes an inpatient mental health unit for the Iowa Department of Corrections. Wallace is to remain in the Jefferson County Jail until a bed opens up at the center. He will return to the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department after the evaluation.

Authorities arrested Wallace Dec. 4, 2008, the day after a female student at Maharishi University of Management reported the attack. Wallace allegedly grabbed the student from behind as she returned to her dorm, forced her down a dead-end street at knifepoint and made her perform an undisclosed sexual act.

The student called police immediately afterwards, but they were unable to find the assailant. A campus security guard spotted Wallace the next day and recognized him from the description the student had given police. The guard detained Wallace until authorities arrived.

Psychological evaluations are not uncommon for defendants. The law requires that defendants be able to understand the charges and assist the attorneys in composing the defense. A defendant is not competent to stand trial if either of those elements is missing.

Wallace’s attorney asked for a competency hearing in late April. That hearing led to this week’s order. A second hearing will take place after the report on Wallace is made.

Preparations for the trial continue in the meantime. The defense has asked permission to retain an expert witness at state expense. Prosecutors oppose that request and the judge will hear arguments next week.

Court filings also indicate the defense has filed at least two pieces of evidence.

The trial remains set for May 27 for now.

Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mwmilner@mchsi.com