Opinion ID: 476303
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: 9 The State of Hawaii argues that in a habeas proceeding we lack jurisdiction to review the state trial court's admission of the videotape. We disagree. 10 A state prisoner can obtain relief under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2254 only if he is held in custody in violation of the Constitution or laws or treaties of the United States. The petitioner must allege a deprivation of federal rights to obtain habeas relief. Engle v. Issac, 456 U.S. 107, 119, 102 S.Ct. 1558, 1567, 71 L.Ed.2d 783 (1982). If Kealohapauole had challenged only the state court's evidentiary ruling, he would have alleged no deprivation of federal rights. However, Kealohapauole claims that the admission of the videotape recording deprived him of due process under the fourteenth amendment, 2 which is a cognizable claim under Sec. 2254. Gutierrez v. Griggs, 695 F.2d 1195, 1198 (9th Cir.1983). Consequently, we must determine whether the denial of his petition on his due process claim was proper.