a concealed weapon.  Flippins pled guilty to all three counts in 1971.


4
Flippins alleges that his guilty plea was coerced by his court-appointed counsel and that the counsel's assistance during trial was otherwise deficient.  Counsel was appointed for Flippins at the time of his release on bail several months before trial.  He claims to have attempted unsuccessfully to contact his attorney through six phone calls and two letters.  He first met the appointed attorney when the attorney appeared beside him as Flippins was called to the bench.  The attorney apparently was unfamiliar with the charges in the case and had not even read the indictment.  At the attorney's request, a two-hour recess was granted so that he could consult with Flippins.


5
Flippins claims thatFlippins had "no defense in this case at all."


7
The trial transcript reveals that the trial judge tested Flippins' plea along the lines required by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure.  Flippins answered that he understood he was not compelled to plead guilty, that he was satisfied with the advice of counsel, and then affirmatively responded to each of the judge's other questions.  The record also reveals that after questioning Flippins, the judge asked him whether he wanted to speak on his own behalf.  The court then interrupted the defendant as he spoke of mitigating circumstances.


8
Flippins claims that, after the plea was entered, his defense counsel promised to examine the legality of the 1969 state court conviction.  He claims he never again heard from the attorney.


9
In