James Johnson v. A.L. Lockhart, Director, Arkansas Department of Correction

James Johnson appeals from a denial of his petition for writ of habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 (1982). For reversal Johnson argues the district court 1 erred in accepting the Magistrate’s 2 findings, after an evidentiary hearing, that his guilty plea was knowingly and voluntarily made and with effective assistance of counsel. 3 We affirm.

On May 11, 1979, Johnson entered a plea of guilty to first degree murder. He was represented by court-appointed counsel, who had met with him several times and conducted an independent investigation of the case. Counsel interviewed two witnesses who…