Can a federal court grant habeas relief to a claim adjudicated on the merits in a state court?

relief with respect to a claim adjudicated on the merits in state court, the adjudication must result in a decision that was either contrary to, or an unreasonable application of, clearly established federal law. Id. Further, in analyzing a claim pursuant to 2254(d)(1), a federal court is limited to the record that was before the state court that adjudicated the claim on the merits. Cullen v. Pinholster, 131 S.Ct. at 1398.

Thus, when a state court record precludes habeas relief under the limitations set forth in 2254(d), a district court is not required to hold an evidentiary hearing. Cullen v. Pinholster, 131 S.Ct. at 1399 (citing Schriro v. Landrigan, 550 U.S. 465, 474 (2007)). An evidentiary hearing may be granted with respect to a claim adjudicated on the merits in state court where the petitioner satisfies 2254(d)(1), or where 2254(d)(1) does not apply, such as where the claim was not adjudicated on the merits in state court. Id. at 1398, 1400-01.