IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
No. 97-11062
Summary Calendar
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
JOE HENRY CARTER, JR.,
Defendant-Appellant.
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Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Texas
USDC No. 4:95-CV-812-A
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September 14, 1998
Before EMILIO M. GARZA, DEMOSS, and BENAVIDES, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Joe Henry Carter, Jr., federal prisoner #20402-077, appeals
the district court’s denial of his 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motion after
remand on the issue whether Carter was denied ineffective
assistance of counsel. Carter has made no relevant appellate
argument on his first eight claims. Federal Rule of Appellate
Procedure 28(a)(6) requires that the appellant's argument contain
the reasons why he deserves the requested relief, together with
citation to the authorities, statutes, and parts of the record
relied on. See Yohey v. Collins, 985 F.2d 222, 225 (5th Cir.
*
Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined
that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent
except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.
R. 47.5.4.
No. 97-11062
-2-
1993) (stating same as to predecessor of Rule 28(a)(6)).
Although we liberally construe pro se briefs, see Haines v.
Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520-21, 92 S. Ct. 594, 596 (1972), we
nevertheless require arguments to be briefed in order to be
preserved. See Yohey, 985 F.2d at 225. Claims not adequately
argued in the body of the brief are deemed abandoned on the
appeal. See id. at 224-25.
In regard to his ninth claim, Carter has failed to
demonstrate that counsel was ineffective in failing to
investigate or communicate the possibility of a plea agreement.
See Lockhart v. Fretwell, 506 U.S. 364, 369, 113 S. Ct. 838, 842
(1993); Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 689-94, 104 S.
Ct. 2052, 2065-68 (1984). The district court did not abuse its
discretion in failing to hold a hearing. See United States v.
Bartholomew, 974 F.2d 39, 41-42 (5th Cir. 1992)
AFFIRMED.