United States Court of Appeals FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT _____________

No. 97-3062WM _____________

United States of America, * * Appellee, * Appeal from the United States * District Court for the Western v. * District of Missouri. * Paul Wright, * [UNPUBLISHED] * Appellant. * _____________

Submitted: February 24, 1998 Filed: March 3, 1998 _____________

Before FAGG, BEAM, and HANSEN, Circuit Judges. _____________

PER CURIAM.

Paul Wright appeals his conviction and sentence for armed bank robbery and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. We affirm.

Wright contends the district court improperly denied Wright's motion to withdraw his guilty plea. We disagree. At the change-of-plea hearing, the district court explained to Wright the consequences of pleading guilty and the possible penalties. The district court also questioned Wright in detail about the factual basis for his plea, his understanding of the proceedings against him, the performance of his attorneys, and his present health and state of mind. Having reviewed the record, we conclude Wright's justifications for withdrawing his plea are refuted by the plea hearing record and the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Wright's motion. See United States v. Yell, 18 F.3d 581, 582-83 (8th Cir. 1994).

Wright also contends the district court improperly denied Wright a reduction in his sentence for acceptance of responsibility. Contrary to Wright's view, we conclude the district court did not commit clear error in denying the reduction. See United States v. Newson, 46 F.3d 730, 734 (8th Cir. 1995).

We thus affirm Wright's conviction and sentence and deny his motion for appointment of new counsel as moot. See 8th Cir. R. 47B.

A true copy.

Attest:

CLERK, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT.

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