Alabama prohibits a state postconviction petitioner from introducing hearsay to prove a penalty phase ineffective assistance of counsel claim. By contrast, the same hearsay is admissible in the penalty phase of a capital trial.

1. Does AEDPA deference apply where a federal court considers whether state postconviction evidentiary rules violate due process?

2. Can a state bar hearsay offered to prove an ineffective assistance of counsel claim where that same hearsay was admissible at trial?

Does AEDPA deference apply to state postconviction evidentiary rules?