Raymond A. Pierson, appointed counsel for Robert Gulledge in this direct criminal appeal, has moved to withdraw from further representation of the appellant and filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967). Our independent review of the entire record reveals that counsel’s assessment of the relative merit of the appeal is correct. Because independent examination of the entire record re *929 veals no arguable issues of merit, counsel’s motion to withdraw is GRANTED, and Gulledge’s conviction and sentence are AFFIRMED.